North Korean authorities may have frozen processing of all tourist visas until early September, multiple sources told NK News Tuesday, as the country prepares to host a number of major events in September surrounding the 70th founding anniversary.

Two foreign tour agencies and one frequent traveler to North Korea who books independently with North Korean travel partners said that visa processing for some foreign tourists was currently paused, with one telling NK News it would last until the September 9 National Foundation Day.

While the freeze reportedly does not affect existing approved visas for foreign tourists scheduled to enter the