- North Korea has been largely closed off from the outside world since early 2020 when it shut its borders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- After a hiatus of three years post the extensive COVID-19 curbs, the first North Korean international commercial flight landed in Beijing.
- China gives the nod for flight resumption.
- As Air Koryo was set to return to the Chinese skies on August 21, there was an abrupt cancellation of flights.
After a hiatus of three years post the extensive COVID-19 curbs, the first North Korean international commercial flight landed in Beijing on August 22. This comes after North Korea reinstated its international commercial flight operations, marking a significant shift in its stringent border policies, media reports said.
North Korea has been largely closed off from the outside world since early 2020 when it shut its borders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
China announced that it has granted approval for the resumption of commercial flights between Beijing and the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. During a regular press briefing, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, said, “During the summer and autumn flight season, the Chinese side approved flight plans for passengers such as the Pyongyang-Beijing and Beijing-Pyongyang routes of Air Koryo.”
As Air Koryo was set to return to the Chinese skies on August 21, there was an abrupt cancellation of flights.
Foreign officials from China and Russia attended a military parade in Pyongyang, marking the first visit by foreign dignitaries in years. Additionally, North Korea allowed a delegation of athletes to participate in a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan. These developments signify a departure from North Korea’s isolationist policies that had been in place since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, Air Koryo is reportedly scheduled to operate two flights between Vladivostok, Russia, and Pyongyang on upcoming Friday (August 25) and Monday (August 28).
A previously scheduled Air Koryo flight to Beijing on Monday was abruptly canceled, with no official reason given. North Korea has been largely closed off from the outside world since early 2020 when it shut its borders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But after three years of Covid-induced isolation, there are increasing signs Pyongyang may be becoming more flexible on border controls. Chinese and Russian officials attended a military parade in the North Korean capital last month — the first foreign dignitaries to visit the country in years.
And last week Pyongyang allowed a delegation of athletes to attend a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan. Specialist website NK News reported Monday that Air Koryo was set to carry out two flights from Russia’s Vladivostok to Pyongyang on Friday and next Monday. It is state airline Air Koryo’s first commercial flight since early 2020 after North Korea shut its borders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
(With inputs from agencies)
