North Korea wants to welcome Russian tourists to its resorts and establish new travel routes between the two countries after lifting pandemic border restrictions, Russian Far East authorities said Friday, as a delegation wrapped up a five-day trip to the DPRK.

But tourism insiders told NK News that increasing Russian tourism to the DPRK will be an uphill battle, with the biggest question mark whether Russians are even interested in visiting the country.

Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako has been leading a regional delegation since Monday and has met with top North Korean officials, including Premier Kim Tok Hun and