North Korea is preparing to reopen its doors to tourists after a five-year closure due to the pandemic. The secretive regime will allow foreign visitors for the first time since the start of the pandemic. However, it may be difficult for the country to receive five-star ratings considering the places visited by leader Kim Jong-un. Travelers willing to visit may have a less enjoyable time at a potato farm or try to find pleasure at a lubricant factory. A shooting range visited by Kim may be more interesting. For now, travelers will only be able to visit the remote city of Samjiyon, but officials have stated that the capital, Pyongyang, will also open soon. It is expected that Kim will accept tourists from every country except South Korea. However, the US prohibits its citizens from visiting the country. According to reports last month, North Korea was said to be planning a beach resort next to one of the dictator's missile test sites, describing it as a "coastal wonder." Two operators in communist ally China announced that they will bring visitors by plane starting from December. KTG Tours wrote on social media, "So far, only Samjiyon has been officially approved, but we think Pyongyang and other places will also open!!!" However, Chad O'Carroll, the president of the US-based analysis firm Korea Risk Group, said, "I won't believe it until I see it. I am quite skeptical that we will see any real movement in December."
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