North Korea reopens touristic border city 5 years after COVID-19 pandemic

By Asiye Latife Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - North Korea has reopened its touristic border city of Rason near China after it was closed in 2020 at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a tour operator.

"There has been news that Rason, located in the northeast of North Korea, has officially opened for tourism," said Koryo Tourism Agency in a notice to its customers on Monday.

Koryo Tours is one of the few agencies that take foreigners on trips to North Korea.

"Whilst we have been informed it has officially opened, as of yet we do not have confirmed itineraries and prices for tourists. It remains to be seen if they will permit private tours and to what capacity they will permit group tours, and what activities will be available," it added.

Rason is one of North Korea's least visited and hardest-to-reach areas.

Notably, Pyongyang opened the border city ahead of the holidays which mark North Korea's second ruler Kim Jong Il's birthday later this month.

North Korea marks the birthdays of the ruling Kim dynasty with large public celebrations, including military parades. The birthday of Kim, who died in 2011, falls on Feb. 16 and is celebrated as the "Day of the Shining Star."