Fact Check: "North Korea's tourism sector is heavily reliant on Chinese and Russian visitors."
What We Know
North Korea's tourism industry is primarily controlled by state-owned enterprises, and it has historically relied on visitors from China and Russia. According to a 2019 estimate, up to 120,000 Chinese tourists visited North Korea, while fewer than 5,000 tourists came from Western countries. This indicates a significant reliance on Chinese nationals for tourism revenue.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a complete closure of North Korea's borders on January 22, 2020, which severely impacted its tourism sector, resulting in estimated losses of at least $175 million by April 2021 (source-1). As of early 2024, North Korea began accepting Russian tourists again, marking a gradual reopening of its tourism sector, although Chinese group tours, which constituted over 90% of visitors before the pandemic, remained stalled (source-3).
The North Korean government has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure, including the recent opening of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone, which is expected to attract both domestic and foreign tourists (source-2). Experts suggest that to make these investments viable, North Korea will need to welcome back Chinese tourists, as they represent a crucial segment of the tourism market (source-4).
Analysis
The claim that North Korea's tourism sector is heavily reliant on Chinese and Russian visitors is supported by multiple sources. The overwhelming majority of tourists prior to the pandemic were Chinese, and the recent reopening to Russian tourists indicates a strategic pivot towards these two nations as primary sources of tourism revenue (source-1, source-3).
While the reopening of tourism is a positive development for North Korea's economy, the country has been slow to resume international tourism due to ongoing pandemic-related restrictions and geopolitical tensions (source-3). The reliance on Chinese tourists is particularly critical, as they accounted for more than 90% of international visitors before the pandemic (source-6). The potential for future tourism growth hinges on the restoration of Chinese group tours, which have not yet resumed (source-4).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with information derived from reputable news outlets and academic assessments. However, it is essential to note that North Korea's state-controlled media may present a biased view of tourism developments, emphasizing successes while downplaying challenges.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The evidence strongly supports the claim that North Korea's tourism sector is heavily reliant on Chinese and Russian visitors. The historical data indicates that Chinese tourists have been the backbone of North Korea's tourism industry, and the recent reopening to Russian tourists further underscores this reliance. The future of North Korea's tourism sector will likely depend on the reestablishment of Chinese tourism, which has not yet resumed since the pandemic.
