Categories: World

North Korea opens border to tourists for first time since pandemic

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for January 11

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Read this article for free! Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

Russian tourists are being welcomed to North Korea in the first group of tourists to the hermit kingdom since the pandemic. 

A group of Russian travelers from the Primorye region will be journeying first to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, according to a report from Russian news outlet Tass.

Following a series of tours, they are reportedly then scheduled to arrive at the nation’s ski resort in Masik Pass for winter sports activities.

SOUTH KOREA SAYS BUFFER ZONES INVALIDATED BY NORTH’S ARTILLERY, PLAN TO CONDUCT DRILLS AT THE BORDER

Skiers ride a chairlift at Masikryong Ski Resort near Wonsan, North Korea. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

Supreme leader Kim Jong Un’s regime has kept the country largely locked down since the worldwide pandemic. 

North Korea suffered intensely during the COVID-19 outbreak and was forced to institute some of the most aggressive quarantine policies in the world.

The decision to select Russian citizens as the first formal tourism group is further evidence of growing cooperation between the two nations.

The two countries have collaborated on military technology and expanded trade in an effort to strengthen regional power alongside China.

RUSSIA USING NORTH KOREAN-MADE MISSILES AGAINST UKRAINE, WHITE HOUSE SAYS

A general view shows the Taedong river and city skyline of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. (ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)

The trip was reportedly arranged as a pet project of Primorye Governor Oleg Kozhemyako and his North Korean counterparts.

Until now, the extremely limited tourism industry in North Korea has been primarily marketed toward Chinese citizens.

“Visitors from Russia are unlikely to be as financially lucrative for North Korea as the return of more numerous visitors from China,” said Prof. Leif-Eric Easley of South Korea’s Ewha University.

Tourists from China pose for photos on Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang, North Korea. (ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

“But the domestic political risk is relatively low while providing symbolism of revitalized relations with Moscow in line with Pyongyang’s current geopolitical narrative,” he added.

North Korea is a deeply impoverished country that curates an enclave of luxury facilities for its wealthy and elite leadership class. Most of the country’s fine dining and entertainment are based in the capital city of Pyongyang.

Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com

Share

Recent Posts

Democratic official drunkenly slurs, flaunts government position during DUI arrest: video

close Video Cook County Democratic official slurs, flaunts position during DUI arrest Cook County Board…

2 hours ago

Oregon hiker, 61, vanishes with her 2 dogs

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 26 Fox News Flash top headlines…

2 hours ago

TD Bank’s historic $3B money laundering case rocks financial world as more charges possible

close Video DOJ busts Chinese nationals working with drug cartels for laundering money Steve Murphy,…

2 hours ago

Fugitive on FBI’s ‘Most Wanted Terrorists’ list, accused of 2003 California bombings, arrested in Wales

close Video Should Trump's transition team trust the FBI? Fox News contributors Mary Katharine Ham…

2 hours ago

Florida TikTok influencer arrested for stealing $500 worth of items at Target: police

close Video Florida TikTok influencer arrested for stealing $500 worth of items at Target: police…

2 hours ago

Trump taps Jamieson Greer for US trade representative, announces more picks

President-elect Trump announced a slew of appointments as his team prepares to transition to the…

2 hours ago