With DPR Korea and no less than Marshall Kim Jong Un stating a desire to push tourism, the big question now what is holding up DPR Korea reopening to tourism.
This a question that not only gives a potentially strange answer, but also might lead to innovation from the DPRK, as well as utilization of its existing allies.
The slow road to DPR Korea reopening
The doors to tourism in the DPRK were seemingly opened earlier this year when Russian guests were allowed to enter the country. And although there were political aspects to this, it was still seen as the light at the end of the tunnel for the DPRK and its reopening to tourism.
Sadly though there has not only been little progress since, but numbers of Russian travelers to Pyongyang has been disappointing to say the least. Russians have not been the only people to visit though, with athletes, as well as slow delegations being allowed into the country, Chinese, or western tourists though have not.
Why though is this the case?
Recent DPRK policy on tourism
Tourism within DPR Korea seemingly got a huge boost on July 15th when Marshall Kim Jong Un announced a “revitalization of international tourism” aimed at “friendly countries”. According to NK News this means a further “ban on western tourists”, but this ignores the context of the announcement, which was made on the border with China.
This was at Mt Paektu, the historic birthplace of the Korean nature, where new resorts are being built. Therefore this statement was clearly aimed at Chinese operators and guests.
We can also surmise that it is now China keeping the border closed, rather than as it is usually reported the DPRK.
Why is China keeping the border closed?
That China are refusing to open the border has of course not been confirmed, but is something that has been reported from those involved in tourism on both sides of the Yalu River.
Perhaps more importantly though is that the highest echelons of the DPRK leadership are now seemingly promoting the reopening of the nation to tourism.
Why though would China want to keep the border closed? There are numerous theories to this, including those related to paranoia over Covid-19. Some Russian diplomats (who favour an opening of the country for economic reasons) have stated that it may boil more down to China not wanting the DPRK falling further into the Russian orbit and thus making a power play.
This may seem like a strange theory as they are all “allies” now, but in reality it mirrors exactly how the DPRK existed between its two larger neighbors during the Cold War.
Circumventing China
One solution for DPR Korea reopening to tourism has been the suggestion of circumventing China by letting tourists enter via Russia, principally the twice per week flights via Vladivostok. These would not only not need the OK of China, but this is a route that while not all that popular has been used by foreign visitors to the DPRK.
And then of course there is the land border which could also provide access from Russia to Rason, Tumen and thus the rest of the country.
Things though do not stop there with there being rumors of new flights being launched from Macao, a place the DPRK has historically had business relations as well as the potential for other routes according to officials.
And of course of the Koreans were to pull this off then it may well leave their closest neighbors and allies no other choice to fall in line and resume business as usual, finally.