A Chinese tour agency has reignited interest in North Korean tourism with the announcement of the Kim Jong-il 'Birthday Tour' to Rason, a city in North Korea’s northeastern region. The tour, which coincides with the February 16 birthday of the late leader Kim Jong-il, marks the first time foreign tourists can visit the area since the pandemic halted international travel, as reported by Yonhap.

Koryo Tours, a renowned agency specialising in North Korean trips, has opened bookings for the February departure, with additional tours scheduled for March and April. Priced at €706 (approximately $722), the tour includes four nights in Rason and two nights in China’s Yanji, offering travellers the chance to explore local factories, markets, and cultural attractions, including a Taekwondo show. While the agency has confirmed February’s itinerary, it has stated that tours in the following months are contingent upon the opening of the Rason border, which remains uncertain.

This announcement follows similar moves by another China-based operator, Young Pioneer Tours, which has started accepting applications for a tour in early March. These developments suggest that North Korea is preparing to welcome Chinese tourists to help bring in foreign currency, a move being closeely watch in the South Korean capital. As such, Rason has emerged as a key destination for visitors looking to explore the reclusive country.

The country has long eyed tourism as a potential revenue stream, and the upcoming opening of the Kalma tourist zone on the east coast, set for June, is another indication of this strategy. For now, the tours to Rason offer a rare glimpse into a country that has been largely closed off from the outside world.