North Korean borders set to welcome chosen Chinese tourists, according to travel agency reports
Unveiling the Hidden Side of North Korea: Insights from Koryo Tours' Snapshots
Get a rare glimpse into the enigmatic world of North Korea, as offered by Koryo Tours' captivating images. These frames, though devoid of a specific date, shed light on significant military, social, and political activities occurring in 2025.
One such event is the return of the Pyongyang Marathon, held for the first time since 2019, signaling a measure of normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic disruption [2].
In the realm of military developments, North Korea has showcased its power with the launch of new naval destroyers, such as the Korean People's Navy’s first destroyer Choe Hyon in April, and the second one in June, despite initial setbacks during the launching ceremony in May [2].
The volatile geopolitical climate has not spared North Korea, with the regime responding to U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities by hardening its stance on nuclear weapons and strengthening its military ties with Russia and China [1][5]. North Korea even admitted to sending military forces to aid Russia in the Ukraine conflict in late April [2].
Unfortunately, this period has also seen an escalation of military provocations, with North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles and cruise missiles into the Sea of Japan in May, followed by over a dozen rocket launches from around Pyongyang in mid-June [2][4].
Intense border tensions have manifested as North Korean soldiers briefly crossing the Korean Demilitarized Zone into South Korean territory in April, provoking warning shots [2]. Nevertheless, positive diplomatic gestures like the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts across the DMZ by South Korean forces in mid-June, aiming to enhance trust between the Koreas, may also be captured in these images [2].
An internal infrastructure challenge surfaced in early June with a significant North Korea internet outage [2]. Amidst these complexities, there are glimmers of hope, such as efforts at détente between the Koreas, which may manifest in the images showing interactions along the DMZ.
In essence, Koryo Tours' images from the past few months encapsulate a captivating blend of military hardware displays, missile launches, civilian events like the Pyongyang Marathon, and scenes depicting high security and border tensions – reflecting North Korea's current geopolitical stance and internal affairs in 2025.
The international community is closely watching North Korea's sports revival, as the Pyongyang Marathon resumed in 2025, marking the event's return since 2019.
In the lifestyle sector, despite the ongoing tensions, traveling to North Korea is still possible with Koryo Tours, offering a unique insight into the enigmatic country.
Moreover, the escalating tourism could potentially foster international relations, a promising development given the volatile geopolitical climate surrounding North Korea in 2025.
