North Korea has opened up the northeastern border city of Rason to tourists from China and most other countries, according to two travel agencies, marking the first time that non-Russian travelers can visit the DPRK since before the pandemic. 

Tourists from all countries except the U.S. and South Korea can visit the Rason Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as of Thursday, Rowan Beard of Young Pioneer Tours (YPT) told NK News, citing local DPRK partners.

“The plan is to open immediately for both Chinese and all other foreign guests, with Chinese visitors expected to be the first into the zone,”