North Korea opens borders to foreign tourists after four-month ban over Ebola scare

North Korea has lifted severe restrictions on foreign travel it imposed last year to keep the Ebola virus from crossing its borders.

Beijing-based tour company Koryo Tours confirmed that it applied for 15 tourist visas this morning, with the first group tour to arrive in Pyongyang on Saturday March 14.

“We’re pleased to announce that today marks the first time in more than four months that tourism to North Korea begins to resume as normal,” Nick Bonner, co-founder and director of Koryo Tours told the South China Morning Post.

“We are still waiting for absolute confirmation from our partners that these visas will be issued without any restrictions or caveats, and that the tour will proceed as normal.

“But all the signs so far are looking good, and we expect more concrete details on this tonight or tomorrow.”

The already isolated country virtually closed its borders to foreigners last October, halting all non-essential visas and requiring those few foreigners allowed in to undergo three weeks of quarantine. The rules applied to diplomats, NGO workers and even senior North Korean officials returning from overseas trips.