North Korea Set To Open Borders To Tourists In December 2024
Intro
North Korea has been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began just over four years ago. All countries in the past few years have re-opened in their own ways, minus one. This is North Korea.
Well, what exactly does this mean for tourists? Let's find out.
Late 2024
In 2023, tour operators were informed that North Korea would be opening. However, this never actually came to fruition. Countless news outlets and two of the main tour groups in China have made clear that North Korea is set to open for tourism at the end of this year. The exact dates remain unclear but presumably will be confirmed shortly.
If you are from the USA, you might have a tough time getting into the country due to the heavy restrictions imposed. If you are seeking to head to North Korea as a US passport holder, there are countless hurdles to jump through, such as getting an authorized letter with a valid reason from the US State Department.
A select number of tourists from Russia have been allowed to enter North Korea this year, but as of now, they have been the only ones to get a look into the country.
Why I Am Excited
Getting into this country is a challenge, but one I have always wanted to do. North Korea fascinates me due to how different of a country it is. It is also the hardest country for me to visit on my quest around the world due to my current US passport holder status (my Canadian passport is in the works).
North Korea won't only be opened to tourists in the mountain range and Pyongyang, but there will also be a specific resort town opening in 2025 (estimated). Surprisingly, I actually see a market for something like this with citizens wanting to experience "North Korea." Think about the travel industry these days and how everyone under the sun says they want to "travel."
North Korea has a little niche that could make it good for business. I am excited to see how this evolves for them and wish the country all the best.
Final Thoughts
After four years of almost no look into the country of North Korea, that is about to change in a big way. Tourists are set to be able to enter the country later this year, more specifically, the mountain region and Pyongyang. Expect an update shortly of the exact dates for re-opening, but this seems to be verified by multiple sources.
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