North Korea halts Rason tourism less than three weeks after reopening

North Korea has unexpectedly suspended tourism to Rason, a border city, less than three weeks after it reopened to international visitors for the first time since the pandemic. Travel agencies, including KTG Tours and Young Pioneer Tours, announced the closure on social media, stating they were unsure about the reasons or duration of the suspension. This abrupt reversal raises concerns about the broader prospects for foreign tourism in the country, which had just begun to invite Western tourists back after years of isolation. Tourists who were already in North Korea are permitted to complete their journeys as planned. The closure comes as North Korea had recently allowed groups from countries like France, Germany, and the UK to visit Rason, marking a significant shift in its tourism policy. The Pyongyang Marathon, scheduled for April 6, is also now uncertain as agencies work to assess the situation regarding tourism.