Growing Interest Amid Government's Active Promotion of Individual Tours to North Korea
As the government pushes for independent inter-Korean cooperation projects such as individual tourism to North Korea, North Korea actively promoted its tourism resources in Kaesong on the 29th and encouraged visits.
On that day, North Korea's external propaganda media 'Meari' published a Q&A-style article titled "I want to know about Kaesong's abundant tourism resources," stating, "Kaesong City has many scenic spots as natural tourism resources," and added, "Seeing is believing, so we hope you take the opportunity at the right time to visit Kaesong."
Meari introduced, "Pakyon Waterfall is one of the top scenic spots in Kaesong and has been known since ancient times as one of Korea's three great waterfalls, along with Kuryong Waterfall in Mount Kumgang and Daeseung Waterfall in Mount Seorak," and continued, "Kaesong also has scenic spots such as Songaksan and Janamsan, as well as natural monuments like the Kaesong Geumsong, Sungkyunkwan Ginkgo Tree, and Sungkyunkwan Zelkova Tree."
It went on to say, "Kaesong is also rich in socio-cultural tourism resources," boasting of Wang Geon’s Tomb, Kaesong Fortress, Kaesong South Gate, Manwoldae, Kaesong Cheomseongdae, Seonjukkyo Bridge, Sungyang Seowon Academy, Goryeo Sungkyunkwan, and Gwaneumsa Temple. Additionally, it stated, "Local specialty foods of Kaesong such as ginseng chicken soup, samgyetang, chueotang, yakgwa, yakbap, and bossam kimchi have uniquely distinct and sweet flavors that greatly invigorate vitality, earning thumbs-up from all visitors."
Meari emphasized, "Under the wise leadership of our Republic, today Kaesong's abundant tourism resources are actively utilized in the cultural and emotional life of our people, deeply engraving the pride and self-esteem of the Korean nation with its long history and splendid culture."
Kaesong tourism, which began on December 5, 2007, under inter-Korean agreement, has been suspended since November 29, 2008. Although it was a one-day short travel package, many tourists flocked to Kaesong because they could closely experience not only the historical sites of the Kaesong area but also the lifestyle of North Korean residents. Until tourism was halted due to the shooting incident involving tourists in Mount Kumgang, 100,549 people had visited Kaesong.
Following the Hanoi North Korea-U.S. summit in February last year, the government plans to use the card of resuming individual tourism to North Korea to restart the stalled Korean Peninsula peace process. Kim Yeon-chul, Minister of Unification, said at a closed special lecture hosted by the Korean Peninsula Peace and Prosperity Forum at the National Assembly on the 12th, "Once the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection) situation is resolved, we intend to focus on promoting individual tourism to North Korea."
Earlier in January, the Ministry of Unification also presented guidelines for individual tourism to North Korea through reference materials. The government is considering three types of individual tourism: "visits to Mount Kumgang and Kaesong by separated families or social organizations," "visits to North Korean areas by South Koreans through third countries," and "allowing foreigners to participate in inter-Korean linked tourism."
The Ministry of Unification specifically explained that "individual tourism through third countries" means "our citizens visiting North Korean areas such as Pyongyang, Kaesong, Yangdok, Wonsan, Galma, and Samjiyon for tourism purposes by using travel agencies in third countries."
Direct individual tourism between South and North Koreans will initially start with separated families and social organizations but is expected to expand to the general public as conditions permit. A Ministry of Unification official emphasized that the government's individual tourism to North Korea is promoted by comprehensively considering issues such as ▲citizens' basic rights ▲urgency of hometown visits for separated families ▲demand from social organizations ▲desires of adventurous young people ▲difficulties in border areas ▲and creation of new tourism demand.
Meanwhile, since the full-scale implementation of sanctions against North Korea, the North has focused on developing its tourism industry and has been making every effort to attract foreign tourists. This is interpreted as an attempt to solve foreign currency shortages in the tourism sector, which is excluded from UN sanctions against North Korea.
Kim Chun-hee, Director of North Korea's National Tourism General Bureau, claimed in an interview with the Cabinet organ Minju Choson in December last year, "Our tourism industry continues to show an upward trend this year as well," and added, "Not only international tourism but also domestic tourism has been steadily developing recently, with the number increasing every year to reach several million."
He added, "An unprecedented number of foreign tourists are visiting Korea, and tourism popularity is high in Pyongyang, Kaesong, and the Myohyangsan area." However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year, North Korea entered a 'national lockdown' state, and the tourism industry has taken a direct hit.
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