North Korea has officially reopened the Rason Special Economic Zone to foreign tourists, raising questions about whether this move will help generate foreign currency and aid its economic recovery.
Sweden-based North Korea-focused travel agency Korea Konsult confirmed to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on January 16 that foreign tourists can now visit the Rason Special Economic Zone starting today.
“Foreign tourists can travel to Rason, but Pyongyang remains closed, ” a travel agency representative said. “We are waiting for updates on other areas of North Korea that foreign tourists can visit.”
The Rason Special Economic Zone, established in 1991 to attract foreign investment and boost the economy, is located in northeastern North Korea, near the borders with China and Russia. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, its strategic location drew many foreign visitors.
Last year, North Korea allowed partial access to Rason for Russian tourists. Now, access has been expanded to include Chinese, European, and other foreign nationals.
Korea Konsult reported a surge in interest from European travelers, with 15 to 20 inquiries about North Korea tourism on the first day of the reopening.
“After five years of suspension since January 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a significant waitlist for visiting North Korea. We are receiving inquiries not just from Sweden but also from Germany, France, Poland, Italy, the UK, and other European countries.”
Chinese travel agency Young Pioneer Tours (YPT) also confirmed the reopening of North Korea tourism to RFA, expressing optimism about the development. According to YPT, all foreigners—except South Koreans and Americans—can now visit Rason, with initial visits limited to a maximum of five days.
Chinese tourists, in particular, can enter Rason using a special travel permit instead of a formal passport, YPT explained.
According to RFA, Hong Kong-based travel agency TravPholer also announced the news on its website, stating that Rason is the first city to reopen and that other North Korean cities are expected to follow suit. The agency has begun accepting bookings for North Korea tour packages, with 13 tours scheduled this year.
The reopening of Rason marks North Korea’s first major move to revive its tourism sector, which has been dormant since the pandemic. The broader opening of its borders to foreign tourists could signal Pyongyang’s attempt to re-engage economically with the international community, albeit selectively.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
