Brits were among those who went back into Kim Jong-un’s secretive country last month as tour groups resumed operations for the first time since the pandemic. Following their visit, they spoke about the ‘bleak’ sights and old-fashioned accommodation.
Rason is a city near North Korea’s border with China, and a number of Western travel agencies had been sharing updates on tours there after finally getting permission from their North Korean partners.
But today (March 5), the companies have announced that their tours to the city are now suspended.
Brits watched as school kids performed for them on a recent trip (YouTube/Mike Okay)
Young Pioneer Tours, which was one of the first tour groups to cross into North Korea when it reopened recently, shared the travel update on Facebook.
“We have been advised by our partners in the DPRK that tours to Rason are currently paused. We are in the process of clarifying how this will impact your upcoming trips,” it wrote.
“We recommend that those planning tours in April and May refrain from booking flights until we have more information.
“Rest assured, once we have further details, we will reach out to everyone individually. Please know that if your tour is cancelled, you’ll have the option for a full credit or refund.”
Spanish-based travel agency KTG Travels also shared: “Oh no! Just received news from our Korean partners that Rason is closed to everyone. We will keep you posted.”
While tours coordinator for KTG, Rayco Vega, confirmed the travel suspension to AFP news agency, adding: “We do not know the reason nor how long this will last.”
YouTuber Mike O’Kennedy was one of the Brits who managed to visit North Korea last month.
During their trip, they paid a visit to a school where students performed songs and routines, including eight-year-olds dancing with a video of ballistic missiles hitting targets behind them.
Rason is near the borders of both Russia and China (ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
With much of the show praising the leader, O’Kennedy said in his video that one of the clearest things he saw on the trip was ‘the utter devotion people had towards Kim Jong-un’.
Joe Smith was also on the trip, marking his third visit to North Korea.
He said: “I feel like the more times you visit the less you know,” he told the BBC. “Each time you get a little peek behind the curtain, which just leaves you with more questions.”
Smith described the roads as ‘awful’ and buildings ‘weirdly constructed’, as he added: “They’ve had five years to fix things. North Koreans are so sensitive about what they show tourists.
“If this is the best they can show, I dread to think what else is out there.”
