Why Did North Korea Close Its Borders?

Why Did North Korea Close Its Borders?

North Korea closed its borders to almost all international travel in early 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread globally. The decision led to one of the strictest and longest border closures anywhere in the world, effectively stopping tourism, limiting diplomatic travel and severely restricting international movement into the country.

For travellers interested in visiting the DPRK, the closure marked a major turning point. North Korea had been slowly expanding tourism before the pandemic, welcoming organised tour groups from around the world. When the borders shut, however, international tourism came to a complete halt.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The primary reason North Korea closed its borders was to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With limited medical infrastructure and healthcare resources, the government took extremely cautious measures to avoid the virus entering the country.

In January 2020, North Korea suspended international tourism and introduced strict quarantine rules for diplomats and foreign residents. Flights, train connections and most cross-border travel were halted. Trade with neighbouring countries was also significantly reduced during the early stages of the pandemic.

These restrictions were far stricter than those implemented by most other countries and remained in place long after many parts of the world had begun reopening.

Tourism in North Korea Before the Closure

Before 2020, tourism to North Korea had been gradually increasing. Visitors travelled as part of organised tours, usually entering through Beijing and visiting destinations such as Pyongyang, Kaesong and the Demilitarised Zone.

One of the most notable international events was the Pyongyang International Marathon, which attracted runners from around the world each year. The race allowed participants to run through the streets of the capital and finish inside Kim Il Sung Stadium, making it one of the most unusual marathon experiences anywhere.

Tourism remained tightly controlled, but it was still one of the few ways foreign visitors could legally enter the country.

Years of Border Closure

After the initial shutdown in 2020, North Korea maintained its strict border controls for several years. Tourism remained suspended, and international travel into the country was extremely limited.

During this time, even diplomatic travel and trade were heavily restricted. Cross-border freight with China, North Korea’s largest trading partner, was reduced significantly before gradually resuming in later years.

For travellers and tour operators, this meant that trips to the DPRK were effectively paused indefinitely while the country focused on preventing the spread of the virus.

Gradual Changes After the Pandemic

In the years following the pandemic, some restrictions have slowly begun to ease. Cargo trade with neighbouring countries resumed and limited diplomatic travel restarted. However, tourism has remained far more restricted than it was before 2020.

One notable development has been the gradual return of tourism from Russia. In 2024 and 2025, a small number of organised Russian tour groups were allowed to visit North Korea, marking the first foreign tourists to enter the country since the pandemic-related border closures. These trips were limited in scale but signalled that the country was cautiously experimenting with reopening tourism.

Some international events have also begun to return. The Pyongyang International Marathon, for example, was held again in 2025 after several years of cancellation. However, the 2026 edition of the race has since been cancelled, highlighting the continued uncertainty surrounding international events in the country.

While these developments suggest a gradual shift in policy, North Korea has not yet returned to the level of international tourism access that existed before 2020.

What This Means for Travellers

For travellers interested in visiting North Korea, the border closure has created a period of uncertainty. While organised tours were once a regular way to visit the country, international travel remains limited and subject to change.

The future of tourism to the DPRK will likely depend on broader developments involving border policies, international travel and diplomatic relations. Events such as the Pyongyang Marathon and other international exchanges may play a role in shaping how and when tourism gradually returns.

For now, travel to North Korea remains far more restricted than it was before 2020, and the timeline for a full reopening is still unclear.