North Korea has once again closed its doors to tourists, just weeks after allowing Western visitors for the first time in five years. The country had initially sealed itself off in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and began easing restrictions in mid-2023. While Russian tourists were permitted entry in 2024, Western visitors were only allowed into the eastern city of Rason last month.

However, multiple tour companies have now announced that all trips to North Korea have been suspended until further notice, with no official explanation from Pyongyang. China-based KTG Tours confirmed on Facebook that Rason is now off-limits, while Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours have also halted their planned trips. Travelers with tours scheduled for April and May have been advised not to book flights until more details emerge.

On February 20, the first Western tourists arrived in Rason, which North Korea has designated as a special economic zone for testing new financial policies. Tour operators reported that visitor movement was more restricted than before the pandemic, with limited opportunities to explore freely or interact with locals. Additionally, there was no access to phone signals or the internet.

A tour leader speculated that Rason was chosen for its controlled environment, making it easier for authorities to monitor visitors. Meanwhile, Koryo Tours recently began accepting international applications for the Pyongyang Marathon, set for April 6, though it remains uncertain whether the event will proceed. In 2019, North Korea received approximately 350,000 foreign tourists, with Chinese visitors making up 90% of the total.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from BBC.