North Korea Halts International Trips to City near China Border
Reversal of Recent Decision to Reopen Frontier to Tourism
North Korea has unexpectedly halted international trips to the city of Rason, located near its border with China, travel agencies announced on Wednesday. This sudden reversal comes after a recent decision to reopen the frontier to tourism after five years of isolation.
Background
North Korea shut its borders in early 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The country later bolstered its defences along its northern boundary to deter its own nationals from re-entering the country illegally from China. Despite these measures, several Western tour operators were able to send small numbers of foreign travelers into Rason last month, following permission from North Korean interlocutors.
Suspension of Trips
Some travel agencies have now reported that these trips have been suspended for unclear reasons. Young Pioneer Tours, a travel agency, stated on its website that tours to Rason are currently paused. Koryo Tours, another travel agency, also confirmed the suspension, with its Beijing-based general manager, Simon Cockerell, noting that those already in North Korea would finish their trips as planned. Rayco Vega, tours coordinator for KTG, a Spain-based travel agency, also confirmed the suspension, adding that the reason for the suspension and its duration are unknown.
Rason: A Special Economic Zone
Rason, located near the borders with China and Russia, was established as North Korea’s first special economic zone in 1991. It has a separate visa regime and has served as a testing ground for new economic policies, boasting the socialist country’s first legal marketplace. The vast majority of foreign visitors to North Korea before the pandemic were Chinese, with some US citizens also venturing there before Washington banned travel following the imprisonment and subsequent death of student Otto Warmbier in 2017. People from South Korea, with which Pyongyang remains technically at war, are also barred from visiting without official permission.
China’s Role
China is a key ally and source of economic backing for North Korea’s diplomatically isolated, UN-sanctioned government. A Chinese firm that advertised a tour to Rason last month did not respond when asked by AFP to clarify if it had been affected by the suspension.
Conclusion
The sudden suspension of international trips to Rason raises concerns about the future of tourism in North Korea. While the country has taken steps to reopen its frontier to tourism, the latest development suggests that this decision may have been reversed. The reasons behind this decision are unclear, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the tourism industry in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why has North Korea halted international trips to Rason?
The reasons for the suspension are unclear. - Will the suspension affect those already in Rason?
Those already in North Korea will finish their trips as planned. - How long will the suspension last?
The duration of the suspension is unknown. - What does this mean for the future of tourism in North Korea?
The future of tourism in North Korea remains uncertain.