North Korea has barred tourists from visiting, just weeks after the first Western tourists entered the country for the first time in five years, the BBC is reporting.
Western tourists were allowed into the remote, eastern city of Rason, but several tour companies have told the BBC that trips to the country have been cancelled until further notice. No reason has been given for the sudden turnaround.
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Two Western tour operators – Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours (YPT) and China-based KTG Tours – announced the suspension of trips to the hermit state.
Those planning tours in April and May should refrain from booking flights "until we have more information", Young Pioneer Tours said in a Facebook post.
Tour operators told the BBC the visitors' movements were even more restricted than on pre-pandemic trips – they had fewer opportunities to wander the streets and talk to locals.