Is DPR Korea reopening imminently, in December, or at all? The short, sharp answer is that no one is quite sure, as there are many variables affecting the situation.
What we can be sure of, however, is that whether it happens in December or not, the official policy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is to restart and rejuvenate their tourism industry.
The December Rumors and the Russia Route
Although the first public statements about the reopening came via resorts near Mount Paektu, this was not the first attempt to reopen. In fact, efforts had already been underway in the months preceding the announcement, with plans to fly tourists in via Russia. It quickly became apparent that it was China, rather than the DPRK itself, blocking the resumption of tourism.
This, however, was seemingly halted by either China or Russia, which shifted the focus to the current “plan” and the announcement that “North Korea was reopening.”
This announcement, initially made by KTG and later by Koryo Tours, was not actually official but rather the opinion of a junior member of the Korean International Travel Company. According to our sources, this caused trouble for those working on the project.
What Are the December Plans for DPR Korea’s Reopening?
That the news was leaked prematurely has been confirmed by the fact that little to no verifiable information has since been released on the matter. Currently, there are no fixed dates, no set prices, and no confirmation that guests will be able to tour Pyongyang.
Nevertheless, this has not stopped the huge excitement surrounding the potential reopening, with travel agencies specializing in DPRK tourism reporting an influx of requests to join tours—tours that, for now, simply do not exist.
Why December and Why Mount Paektu?
Many have questioned the timing and the destination, as the Mount Paektu area is extremely cold and uninviting at this time of year, except for skiing. Yet, while people question why now and why here, they may be overlooking one salient point: things do not always need to make sense in the DPRK. These resorts were not just built on government insistence, but by order of the Marshall himself.
With this in mind, much like the Masikryong Ski Resort and the Kalma Beach Resort, the government is fully committed to ensuring their success. This, of course, means telling foreign agencies where and when they will go, rather than asking.
Will It Actually Happen?
This is the million-dollar question, and it’s where the trail goes cold. As things currently stand, authorities in DPR Korea have merely said it is a “plan,” without confirming dates, hotels, prices, or much else. It is also unclear whether Chinese authorities have given the OK—a prerequisite for any kind of opening.
There have been numerous rumors about why there is hesitation from the Chinese side, ranging from concerns over food safety to the idea that this is part of Cold War 2.0 posturing. The theory here is that China wants to reassert its position as DPRK’s number one ally, ahead of Russia.
With all of this in mind, we cannot be certain if the reopening will actually happen, although it has been suggested that a major announcement will be made by the end of September.
Cold War 2.0?
Another important factor that has been overlooked in relation to DPRK policy comes from none other than Marshall Kim Jong-Un himself, who has said he favors opening to “friendly nations.”
In this context, he is referring to Russian groups (who are already traveling to the country) and the Chinese, by far the largest market for tourism in the DPRK.
For example, in 2019, there were only 7,000 international visitors, while over 200,000 Chinese tourists visited. If the DPRK were able to replace the 7,000 with Russian visitors via its ski and beach resorts, it might well decide that Western visitors—many of whom visit as pseudo-journalists—are simply not worth the trouble.