Tue Feb 04 10:32:20 IST 2025: **North Korea Reopens Border City to Tourists for Kim Jong Il’s Birthday**
**Pyongyang, February 4, 2025** – For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea is reopening the border city of Rason to foreign tourists, coinciding with the birthday celebrations of former leader Kim Jong Il. Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based travel agency, announced the availability of tour packages to Rason, a special economic zone bordering China, to commemorate the “Day of the Shining Star” on February 16th.
The tours, while currently open for booking, are not yet confirmed pending approval from Chinese authorities regarding border access. The itineraries include visits to local factories, schools, and even the opportunity to open a North Korean bank account. Another agency, Young Pioneer Tours, has also announced similar packages.
Rason, established as a special economic zone in 1991, offers a unique glimpse into North Korea’s economic experiments. Prior to the pandemic, around 5,000 Western tourists visited North Korea annually, although American citizens have been barred since 2017.
The reopening comes amid speculation about China’s stance on North Korea’s growing ties with Russia. While outwardly maintaining friendly relations, China’s alleged subtle pressure through measures like restricting tourism is interpreted by experts as a response to North Korea’s support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict. Analysts suggest this support, involving arms shipments and troop deployments, is causing concern in Beijing regarding its own international relationships and economic recovery.
First Piper 