Pyongyang has abruptly suspended tourism for Western groups just three weeks after reopening its borders for the first time in five years since the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision, shrouded in mystery, has left travel agencies scrambling and tourists disappointed.

According to AFP, travel agencies that had been selling tours to the Rason Special Economic Zone for Western tourists since last month received sudden notifications from North Korean authorities about the suspension. Young Pioneer Tours, a New Zealand-based agency, announced the suspension on its website, while Koryo Tours, a British-owned agency based in Beijing, also confirmed the temporary closure of related tours.

North Korean officials have not provided specific reasons for the suspension. However, speculation is rife that negative social media reviews by Western tourists may have played a role. Some tourists posted candid and critical accounts of their experiences in the totalitarian state, potentially leading Pyongyang to believe that the negative publicity outweighed the benefits of tourism.

One German influencer, Luka Pertermenges, who visited North Korea on a five-day trip, told Business Insider that the country made no attempt to hide its poverty. Another British YouTuber, Mike O'Kane, recounted having to report to his guides even when going to the bathroom, describing it as an experience unlike any other.

Concerns over the inflow of external information into North Korean society may also be a factor. While North Korean authorities aim to tightly control information, sources suggest that tour guides who interact frequently with Chinese tourists are aware of international events, such as US tariffs and North Korean troop deployments to Russia.

For Pyongyang to take such risks, tourism revenue would need to be substantial. However, group tours for Chinese tourists, a potentially significant source of income, have yet to resume. A planned four-day Rason tour for Chinese tourists was canceled on the day of departure, and other Chinese travel agencies have reported being prohibited from promoting or conducting tours to the region.

The abrupt suspension of tourism and the restrictions on Chinese tour groups may reflect the strained relations between North Korea and China.

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