North Korea cancels foreigners’ visas a week before international trade fair



News North Korea cancels foreigners’ visas a week before international trade fair Last-minute decision casts doubts on DPRK’s readiness to reopen, just as it was set to hold first expo in six years Shreyas Reddy May 6, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Visitors inspect exhibitors' wares at the 22nd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair in 2019. \| Image: KCNA, archived by Media Ryugyong (Sept. 2, 2023) North Korea has canceled visas for foreigners set to take part in its main springtime international trade fair just a week before the event, casting doubt on the country’s readiness to reopen for outsiders after a series of stops and starts in recent months. In a statement sent on Monday to foreign businesses that signed up for next week’s 23rd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair (PITF), the specialist travel agency Young Pioneer Tours announced that all international visitors — including over 200 Chinese attendees invited to the event — would not be allowed to attend. “Due to a last-minute decision © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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North Korea cancels foreigners’ visas a week before international trade fair

Last-minute decision casts doubts on DPRK’s readiness to reopen, just as it was set to hold first expo in six years

Shreyas Reddy May 6, 2025

North Korea cancels foreigners’ visas a week before international trade fair

Visitors inspect exhibitors' wares at the 22nd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair in 2019. | Image: KCNA, archived by Media Ryugyong (Sept. 2, 2023)

North Korea has canceled visas for foreigners set to take part in its main springtime international trade fair just a week before the event, casting doubt on the country’s readiness to reopen for outsiders after a series of stops and starts in recent months.

In a statement sent on Monday to foreign businesses that signed up for next week’s 23rd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair (PITF), the specialist travel agency Young Pioneer Tours announced that all international visitors — including over 200 Chinese attendees invited to the event — would not be allowed to attend.

“Due to a last-minute decision

North Korea cancels foreigners’ visas a week before international trade fair

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