North Korea is finally opening its borders to visitors for the first time since the global COVID-19 pandemic happened. However, NoKor is only accepting Russian tourists to explore its territories.
When the global pandemic was just starting, North Korea decided to completely close its borders; preventing any outsiders from visiting the Asian country.
This is its strictest anti-pandemic measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus when the COVID-19 pandemic peaked in early 2020.
This situation is now changing as North Korea decided to allow Russians to visit the country. Does this mean it will also welcome other tourists? Here are the latest details.
North Korea Welcomes Russian Tourists
According to Fox News' latest report, Russian tourists can now visit North Korea. This was confirmed by Tass, a Russian news outlet, saying that the first group of visitors will be coming from the Primorye region.
They will travel to North Korea to visit Pyongyang. CNN reported that a Russian travel agency was advertising a family-friendly skip trip in North Korea.
This means that the Russian tourists would visit other places outside the North Korean capital; most likely in Masik Pass to participate in winter sports activities.
In the advertisement posted by Vostok Intur, Russian tourists can sign up to be the first known tourists in North Korea for a four-day trip to the Masikryong Ski Resort for just $750.
Experts said that North Korea's decision to allow Russians to visit its territories is a sign that cooperation between NoKor and Russia is further improving.
"Visitors from Russia are unlikely to be as financially lucrative for North Korea as the return of more numerous visitors from China," explained Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at South Korea's Ewha University.
The strong relationship between these two superpower nations was already seen when they collaborated on military technology, as well as expanded trade to strengthen regional power together with China.
Will North Korea allow more tourists?
At first, the initiative of North Korea to open its borders to Russians might seem to be hinting at a broader effort for its tourism industry, but experts doubt NoKor will allow other foreigners.
Koryo Tours General Manager Simon Cockerell explained that allowing Russian visitors is indeed a good sign. However, it doesn't mean that North Korea will revive its small tourist trade.
"I would be cautious in assuming it will lead to a general opening to all tourists," said the tourism expert.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, North Korea's tourism industry was already extremely limited as the country primarily marketed tourism to Chinese nationals.