North Korea to Allow Citizens Abroad to Return Home as Pandemic Eases
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea announced on Sunday that it will allow its citizens staying abroad to return home as the country eases its strict coronavirus restrictions. The decision comes in line with the improving pandemic situation worldwide.
According to a statement from the State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters, returning citizens will be required to undergo a week-long quarantine for “proper medical observation.” The statement did not provide further details, but analysts believe that this move will lead to the repatriation of North Korean students, workers, and others who have been stranded abroad, particularly in China and Russia, due to the pandemic. These workers serve as a vital source of foreign income for the country.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, North Korea closed its borders to tourists, expelled diplomats, and significantly limited border traffic and trade. The lockdown has exacerbated the country’s existing economic struggles and food shortage.
Earlier this month, South Korea’s spy agency reported that North Korea was preparing to gradually reopen its borders, aiming to revive its economy. This was further evidenced when a North Korean commercial jet made its first international flight in about 3½ years, landing in Beijing and then returning to North Korea later that day. However, the passengers on board remains unknown.
In August, a delegation of North Korean taekwondo athletes and officials also traveled to China and then took a flight to Kazakhstan to participate in an international competition. This marked the first significant international trip for North Korea since the start of the pandemic.
Analysts speculate that the return of workers from abroad will result in the loss of a rare source of foreign currency for North Korea. As a result, the government is expected to send other workers to China and Russia to replace them. However, accepting new North Korean workers would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution that required member states to repatriate all North Korean laborers by the end of 2019.
Given North Korea’s decision to quarantine returnees for a week, experts believe that it is unlikely the country will resume accepting Chinese and other foreign tourists in the near future. However, if the return of its nationals does not lead to any coronavirus outbreaks, North Korea may consider allowing foreigners to enter the country next year.
In August 2022, North Korea made a highly questionable claim of having overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. While freight train service with China resumed the following month, many of the restrictions on border crossings by individuals remained in effect.