⚡ TL;DR — The Quick Answer
- Can you visit North Korea? Technically yes — but it closed again in March 2025 after a brief 4-week reopening.
- What happened in 2025? North Korea reopened for 4 weeks in February 2025 — the first time since COVID — then shut again. Unpredictable.
- Pyongyang Marathon: Restarted in April 2025 after a 6-year pause. Tours are possible when the country is open — watch Koryo Tours.
- How tours work: Only through approved operators (Koryo Tours, Young Pioneer Tours). Always guided. Never solo.
- American citizens: Still banned — U.S. State Department ban extended to at least August 2026.
- Best option right now: The DMZ from the South Korean side — you can stand metres from North Korea today.
The Full Picture — How North Korea Tourism Actually Worked
Before the COVID closure in 2020, North Korea received roughly 100,000–200,000 tourists per year — almost entirely from China, with a smaller number of Western visitors. Contrary to popular belief, it was legal and doable for most nationalities (with the exception of South Koreans and, since 2017, Americans).
The catch: you couldn’t go independently. Every tour was arranged through a state-approved operator and you were accompanied by government minders the entire time. You visited what they wanted you to see. Still — people went, and many found it genuinely fascinating.
How Tours Were Structured (Pre-2020)
- Book through an approved operator — Koryo Tours (Beijing-based, most reputable), Young Pioneer Tours, Uri Tours. Packages ranged from 3-day Pyongyang trips (~$800) to 2-week full-country tours.
- Fly into Pyongyang via Beijing or fly Koryo Airlines — there was no land crossing option for tourists.
- Accompanied at all times — two Korean government guides per group. No wandering off. Phones allowed but with restrictions.
- See the curated side of the country — Kumsusan mausoleum, Arirang mass games, Juche Tower, DMZ from the North side. Heavily scripted but still unlike anything else on earth.
The Current Situation — Closed Again After a Brief 2025 Reopening
North Korea sealed its borders in January 2020 for COVID-19. After nearly five years, it briefly reopened in February 2025 — the first time tourists could enter since the pandemic. Groups from several nationalities were able to visit, though Pyongyang itself remained off-limits and the tours were limited to specific regions.
Four weeks later, in March 2025, the borders closed again without explanation. That is the pattern with North Korea — openings are sudden, brief and unpredictable. The approved operators (Koryo Tours, Young Pioneer Tours) are on standby, monitoring the situation daily, but cannot currently take bookings for North Korea.
🏃 Pyongyang Marathon — Back After 6 Years
The Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon in Pyongyang restarted in April 2025 — the 37th edition — after being cancelled every year since 2018. Tourists have historically been allowed to participate alongside North Korean runners. When North Korea reopens again, this will be one of the first accessible entry points. Check Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours for availability.
The Xi Jinping–Kim Jong Un summit in June 2026 — Xi’s first visit to Pyongyang in seven years — has renewed speculation about a gradual reopening. Nothing is confirmed, but diplomatic warmth between China and North Korea historically precedes increased foreign access.
American Citizens — A Special Case
Since September 2017, the U.S. government has prohibited American passport holders from traveling to North Korea following the death of Otto Warmbier. The ban is renewed annually — it is currently extended to at least August 2026. Even when North Korea reopens, Americans would need a special validation from the U.S. State Department, which is not being issued. This is a hard restriction — not a grey area.
What You Can Actually Do Right Now — The DMZ
The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) on the South Korean side is as close as anyone can legally get to North Korea right now — and it’s genuinely one of the most intense experiences in Asia. From the Dora Observatory you can see North Korean villages and military posts with the naked eye. With a good pair of binoculars you can see people.
What to see at the DMZ
- Panmunjeom / JSA — the blue conference buildings
- Dora Observatory — see into North Korea
- 3rd Infiltration Tunnel — dug by the North
- Dorasan Station — the train to nowhere
- Imjingak Park — open to all, no permit needed
What to bring
- Passport (required at military checkpoints)
- Binoculars — essential for the observatory
- Camera with a long lens
- A Korea eSIM — no Wi-Fi at the border
- Book your JSA tour in advance — fills up
Frequently Asked Questions
Will North Korea reopen again in 2026?
Possibly — the brief February 2025 reopening showed the door can open quickly when the government decides. The June 2026 Xi Jinping summit in Pyongyang has increased speculation, but there is no confirmed timeline. Monitor Koryo Tours (koryogroup.com) and Young Pioneer Tours (youngpioneertours.com) — they will announce the moment bookings open.
Can tourists participate in the Pyongyang Marathon?
Yes — historically foreign tourists have been able to run alongside North Korean athletes. The marathon restarted in April 2025 after a 6-year pause. When North Korea is open, tour operators like Koryo Tours organise marathon packages that include the race entry, accommodation and guided touring in Pyongyang. Watch their websites for 2027 edition announcements.
Is North Korea safe to visit?
Before 2020, tens of thousands of tourists visited without incident each year. The risks are real but different from what most people imagine — the danger isn’t random violence, it’s the strict rules. Breaking a rule (even accidentally) can have serious consequences. Research is essential before going.
Can South Koreans visit North Korea?
No. South Korean citizens are legally prohibited from visiting North Korea under South Korean law. This applies regardless of which passport they hold.
What’s the difference between the JSA and the regular DMZ tour?
The JSA (Joint Security Area / Panmunjeom) is where the blue conference rooms straddle the actual border — the most famous image of the DMZ. It requires a separate, military-escorted tour. The regular DMZ tour covers the tunnel, observatory and Dorasan Station. Both are worth doing if you have time.
Do I need binoculars at the DMZ?
Yes — without them, North Korea looks like a distant treeline. With a good pair (10×50 or better), you can see buildings, guard posts, and sometimes people. The observatory provides some coin-operated ones but they’re low quality. Bring your own.
How far is the DMZ from Seoul?
About 50–60km north of Seoul. Most tour buses take 1–1.5 hours from central Seoul. You can also take the Gyeongui-Jungang line to Dorasan Station independently for the Imjingak area (no permit needed), though the full JSA/Observatory tour requires a booking.