Following the recent resumption of regular train and air services between North Korea and China, North Korean tourist recruitment has begun in China, and preparatory activities have been detected at the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area. In line with the vision presented by Kim Jong Un at the 9th Party Congress to transform tourism into a ‘new industry that drives economic growth and cultural development,’ it is expected that Chinese tourists will soon be permitted.

This move is assessed as an effort to officially activate a legal source of foreign currency. Furthermore, by addressing potential concerns regarding recent alignment with Russia, it appears intended to balance the China-Russia axis. Internally, the regime likely intends to use this as an opportunity to propagate improvements in living conditions and enhance the national image. However, it is also evaluated that internal instability could increase due to the influx of outside information and ideologies that inevitably accompany large numbers of tourists.