North Korea Reopens to Foreign Tourists with Unique Offerings

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North Korea's remote city of Rason is set to welcome international visitors for the first time since January 2020, with a special tour organized by Koryo Tours from February 12 to 18, 2025. The five-day itinerary offers a glimpse into this Special Economic Zone, the only region in North Korea where capitalism is actively encouraged. Tourists will engage in activities such as seal watching, a cooking course, and visits to a school uniform factory and a health facility for chronic gastritis.

Rason, located near the borders with Russia and China, stands out for its limited embrace of private enterprise, allowing locals to buy property in a nation where homeownership is typically illegal.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns potential travelers of the risks involved, noting the country's unpredictable security conditions and the potential for arrest over minor infractions. Additionally, it advises against all but essential travel to North Korea, emphasizing the alarming human rights situation. The tour is priced at approximately €705 (about $760) per person, excluding flights from major cities to Yanji, China.

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