In a rare development following the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea has announced that it will reopen its borders to foreign tourists, with a special tour to the border city of Rason scheduled for February.
This tour, which coincides with the birthday of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, will be the first of its kind since Pyongyang closed its frontiers in January 2020.
The reopening of Rason to tourists is not only a significant moment for the country but also a glimpse into how North Korea is gradually resuming interactions with the outside world after its long isolation.
A Glimpse into North Korea’s Special Economic Zone: Rason
Rason, located in the far northeastern corner of North Korea, is unique for being the country’s first Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a designation it earned in 1991. The city, which borders China, has long been seen as a testing ground for North Korea’s economic reforms.
Rason has a separate visa regime from the rest of the country, making it more accessible to foreign visitors, and has been the site of various economic experiments, including the establishment of North Korea’s first legal marketplace. It is also home to industries, factories, and even a foreign bank where tourists can open a North Korean bank account.
For tourists, this is a rare opportunity to visit a part of North Korea that operates under a different set of rules. While most of the country remains tightly controlled, Rason’s status as an SEZ allows for a somewhat more relaxed atmosphere.
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Visitors can expect to see a blend of typical North Korean structures, such as factories and schools, as well as areas that reflect the city’s unique economic role. Tour operators promise that the February tour will include visits to several must-see sites within Rason, giving visitors an up-close look at a city that has been shielded from the global spotlight for decades.
Kim Jong Il’s Birthday Celebration and Its Significance
Kim Jong Il, who ruled North Korea from 1994 until his death in 2011, holds a monumental place in the country’s collective memory. His birthday, celebrated on February 16 as the “Day of the Shining Star,” is one of the most significant holidays in North Korea, often marked with large-scale public celebrations and military parades.
It’s a day when the country’s propaganda machine is at full throttle, with grand displays of loyalty to the Kim dynasty. His son, Kim Jong Un, continues to uphold the reverence surrounding his father’s legacy, and the February tour to Rason will be a special occasion to celebrate this legacy in the presence of foreign visitors.
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For North Koreans, this day is steeped in national pride, and the celebrations go far beyond mere remembrance. The event is a reminder of the Kim family’s control over the country and their continued dominance in North Korean politics.
It’s also an opportunity for the North Korean government to showcase its military might and the strength of the country’s political system. For foreigners, being able to witness these events firsthand can offer an insight into the pervasive culture of loyalty that permeates everyday life in North Korea.
The tour will not only offer a glimpse into the country’s political and economic landscape but will also allow foreign tourists to experience the festive atmosphere that surrounds Kim Jong Il’s birthday. From military parades to other public celebrations, the Day of the Shining Star offers a unique opportunity to see how the regime consolidates its power through spectacle.
The Challenges of North Korea’s Reopening and Implications for Regional Relations
While the reopening of Rason to foreign tourists is a notable development, it is also a complicated issue with several underlying challenges. North Korea’s decision to allow foreign visitors back into the country after a five-year hiatus comes with significant political and economic implications.
For one, the global tourism industry, which was severely affected by the pandemic, now faces the challenge of reestablishing connections with a country that has been largely closed off from the world. Moreover, North Korea’s strained relationship with China, one of its primary allies, complicates matters even further.
Before the pandemic, China was the largest source of tourists to North Korea, with an estimated 5,000 Western tourists visiting the country annually. However, in recent years, there have been concerns about China’s growing displeasure with North Korea’s increasing ties with Russia, particularly with regard to North Korea’s arms shipments and support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.
This has led to speculation that China may be using tourism restrictions and economic pressure as a means of signaling its dissatisfaction with Pyongyang’s policies. While China has not publicly criticized North Korea’s actions, experts suggest that it is subtly pressuring the regime by limiting the number of Chinese tourists allowed to visit the country.
This delicate geopolitical situation adds another layer of complexity to North Korea’s reopening of its borders. Despite the long-standing ties between China and North Korea, Beijing’s unhappiness with Pyongyang’s actions could result in further restrictions on tourism and trade, affecting North Korea’s ability to recover from the economic difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic.
The return of foreign tourists to North Korea, particularly those from China, is contingent upon the ongoing diplomatic relations between the two countries, and this reopening of Rason may be a test case for future engagements.
The Future of North Korean Tourism
The reopening of Rason city is only the beginning of North Korea’s tentative steps toward re-engaging with the outside world. However, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to a broader reopening of the country or if it will remain an isolated experiment in a city designated for special economic purposes.
As North Korea continues to balance its internal needs with external pressures, tourism may play a key role in its gradual integration into the global economy. Yet, the potential for political and diplomatic issues, particularly with China, remains a significant challenge.
For now, the Rason tour offers a rare opportunity for foreign visitors to experience a side of North Korea that has long been hidden from public view. While the future of tourism in North Korea remains uncertain, the reopening of this border city signals that the country may be cautiously testing the waters for a more open and interconnected future.
The reopening of Rason city for tours during Kim Jong Il’s birthday is a historic moment for both the tourism industry and North Korea. As the country seeks to regain its place in the global arena, it must navigate the complex interplay of political, economic, and diplomatic challenges.
The world will be watching to see how this reopening unfolds and what it means for the future of North Korea’s interactions with the international community.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏