Russia-North Korea tourism development

North Korea has begun positioning itself as a travel destination for Russian citizens, following the strengthening of diplomatic ties and a mutual defense treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang. The country is promoting various travel packages, including eight-day itineraries from Vladivostok that feature Pyongyang and the recently inaugurated Wonsan-Kalma seaside resort.

Despite these promotional efforts, Russian interest remains a relatively small segment of the travel market. While officials and agencies market the destination as a ‘hidden paradise’—partly due to increased travel restrictions for Russians entering the European Union—actual visitor numbers have been growing. Tourism to North Korean resorts rose from 2,000 in 2024 to over 5,000 in 2025.

Recent shifts in geopolitical tensions and visa policies have accelerated this trend. The number of Russian tourists traveling to EU countries has dropped more than tenfold compared to pre-pandemic levels, driven by ongoing restrictions and potential new EU sanctions, including proposals to limit visas for Russian citizens or ban entry for those involved in military actions in Ukraine.

In response, tourism between Russia and North Korea is seeing growth. Following the completion of a road bridge over the Tumen River—an event celebrated by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Pak Pong-ju—Oleg Koremyako, head of the Primorsky Krai administration, stated that tourist flows through the region to North Korea could reach 7,000 people this year.