According to information from two travel companies licensed to operate tourism in North Korea, Koryo Tours and KTG Tours, announced on August 14, from the end of this year, foreign tourists will be able to visit the city of Samjiyon in this country.

"We have received confirmation from our local partner that tours to Samjiyon and possibly other destinations across the country will officially open in December 2024," said Koryo Tours, based in Beijing.

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North Korea will open its doors to international visitors from the end of this year. Photo: Uritour

The tour operator also added that the itinerary and other details will be announced "in the coming week".

Meanwhile, through a separate post on social media, KTG Tours, headquartered in Shenyang (China), also emphasized the exact time for tours to North Korea.

"So far only Samjiyon is mentioned in the announcement, but we think Pyongyang and other places will also open up!", KTG Tours said.

The move shows North Korea is ready to open its borders to larger groups of foreign tourists, after years of strict border controls.

The “ world’s most secretive country” has kept its borders completely closed for years because of the pandemic. The restrictions remain in place, except for a group of about 100 Russian tourists who were allowed to visit North Korea in February.

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The North Korean leader is particularly interested in the Wonsan-Kalma tourist area project. Photo: KCNA

The announcement that North Korea is opening up to tourism comes about a month after the country's leader personally visited a new tourist destination, the Wonsan-Kalma area, on the east coast.

KCNA news agency quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying the resort will open in May 2025.

'World's most secretive country' builds luxury beach resort According to the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), leader Kim Jong Un and senior generals visited the Wonsan-Kalma tourist area under construction on the country's east coast on July 16.