At least 50 members of pro-North Korea friendship groups from around the world have gathered in Pyongyang ahead of the country’s biggest holiday, according to state media, in what one expert said is a “positive sign” the DPRK may be relaxing its strict border policies.

The DPRK party daily Rodong Sinmun reported on Friday that representatives from 18 countries,including the U.K., Mexico, Nigeria and Mongolia, arrived in Pyongyang the day before to join celebrations for the Day of the Sun.

Photos published in state media showed at least 50 people made the trip, with many of them among the first