North Korea Plans Tourist Reopening for Kim's Birthday

North Korea is planning to reopen the city of Rason to foreign tourists for the first time since the pandemic, offering tours to celebrate former leader Kim Jong Il's birthday, known as the Day of the Shining Star, on February 16. Beijing-based Koryo Tours has opened bookings for February through April, although the tours are not yet confirmed, pending Chinese authorities' approval on border openings. The itineraries include visits to Rason's factories, markets, a bank where tourists can open North Korean accounts, and participation in celebrations of the Kim dynasty's birthdays, which are marked by large public events and military parades. Despite the tour operator's announcement, there has been no official comment from North Korea or China regarding the plans. Prior to the pandemic, North Korea's tourism was limited, with approximately 5,000 Western and predominantly Chinese tourists visiting yearly. Another agency, Young Pioneer Tours, also announced similar tour packages, indicating a potential shift in North Korea's tourism policy post-COVID-19.