Tourism in North Korea

Tourism in North Korea is tightly controlled by the North Korean government. All tourism is organized by one of several state-owned tourism bureaus, including Korea International Travel Company (KITC), Korean International Sports Travel Company (KISTC), Korean International Taekwondo Tourism Company (KITTC) and Korean International Youth Travel Company (KIYTC).^[1] The majority of tourists are Chinese nationals: one 2019 estimate indicated that up to 120,000 Chinese tourists had visited North Korea in the previous year, compared to fewer than 5,000 from Western countries.^[2]

In response to the threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea, North Korea closed its borders to foreign tourists on 22 January 2020.^[3] As of April 2021, the resulting economic losses were estimated to be at least US$175 million.^[4]^[5] In January 2024, it was announced that a group of Russian tourists would be allowed into the country, the first tourists since the border closure.^[6]

^ Borowiec, Steven (14 September 2014). "Despite warnings, more Western tourists are traveling to North Korea". Los Angeles Times.
^ Mao, Francis (5 July 2019). "How do Westerners come to live and work in North Korea?". BBC News.
^ "North Korea temporarily closes border until further notice – Coronavirus precaution". Young Pioneer Tours. January 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
^ Aberto Ballesteros (8 April 2021). "The Pandemic and North Korea's Tourism Industry: Another Shock for the Regime". 38 North. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
^ Marcus, Lilit (2 September 2023). "North Korea hints at tourism reopening, but doubts remain". CNN.
^ Hart, Robert. "North Korea Prepares For First Foreign Tourists Since Pandemic — Here's What They'll Do". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-12.

[1] Borowiec, Steven (14 September 2014). "Despite warnings, more Western tourists are traveling to North Korea". Los Angeles Times.

[Mao-2] Mao, Francis (5 July 2019). "How do Westerners come to live and work in North Korea?". BBC News.

[3] "North Korea temporarily closes border until further notice – Coronavirus precaution". Young Pioneer Tours. January 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021.

[4] Aberto Ballesteros (8 April 2021). "The Pandemic and North Korea's Tourism Industry: Another Shock for the Regime". 38 North. Retrieved 17 April 2021.

[5] Marcus, Lilit (2 September 2023). "North Korea hints at tourism reopening, but doubts remain". CNN.

[6] Hart, Robert. "North Korea Prepares For First Foreign Tourists Since Pandemic — Here's What They'll Do". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-12.

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