North Korea abruptly cancelled its premier international marathon with less than a month until the race, highlighting the country’s apparent lack of readiness in welcoming back international visitors after several years of tourism stoppages.

DPRK-focused travel agency Koryo Tours, the marathon’s international partner, informed registered foreign participants via email on Monday that North Korean authorities have called off the Pyongyang International Marathon without specifics.

In a statement posted on Koryo Tours’ blog, the cancellation appears to have been made “at a level above the [organizers] of the event itself.”

“The cancellation is unexpected and is not a decision that has