North Korea has imposed a sudden stop to tourist visits, just a short time after allowing the first Western tourists to enter the country in five years. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea sealed itself off in early 2020 and started easing restrictions in mid-2023. Although it initially opened up to Russian tourists in 2024, Western tourists were only permitted to visit the eastern city of Rason last month. However, tour companies have now canceled trips to North Korea until further notice, citing no reason for this unexpected ban. China-based KTG Tours, Young Pioneer Tours, and Koryo Tours are among the agencies that have suspended their operations. Those planning tours for April and May are advised not to book flights until more information is available. On February 20, the first Western tourists began arriving in Rason, a city designated by North Korea as a special economic zone. However, even more restrictions were placed on their movements compared to previous trips, including limited opportunities to explore and interact with locals. Phone signals and internet access were also unavailable in the country. One tour leader suspects that Rason was chosen due to its contained nature and easier control. Koryo Tours also announced that they were accepting international applications for the Pyongyang Marathon for the first time in five years. However, it is now uncertain whether these applications can still be processed. Prior to the pandemic, North Korea attracted approximately 350,000 foreign tourists in 2019, with 90% of them being from China.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjry1yz9qevo