Did negative online reviews prompt North Korea to stop foreign tours?

North Korea has halted visits by foreign tourist groups to its Rason special economic zone in a decision that is said to reflect Pyongyang’s concerns over negative perceptions of the country generated by social media posts of influencers among such visitors.

The country closed entry at the border leading to the zone earlier this month, according to travel agencies organising such tours.

“We have no further information on this right now and are in contact with both our groups there and with our Korean partners but they have no more information themselves,” said a statement from Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based agency specialising in North Korea tours, on March 5.

Bordering China and Russia in northeastern North Korea, Rason has been designated as a test bed to spur the country’s economic growth through foreign businesses and tourists.

The suspension came after North Korea welcomed travel groups to the zone in late February, marking the first reopening of its border to the outside world since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Analysts said the shutdown might be due to Pyongyang’s concerns over the spread of content by influencers showing the negative side of the country.