N.Korea's Travel Ban Applies Only to Chinese Tourists

North Korea's ban on foreign visitors until Sept. 5 seems to apply only to Chinese tourists, Radio Free Asia reported Thursday.

INDPRK, a Chinese travel agency specializing in North Korea tours, was told last weekend by its North Korean partner that group tours are canceled because all hotels in Pyongyang will undergo repairs for about 20 days from Aug. 11.

The regime seems be targeting Chinese tourists, who are mostly on budget tours and generate little money for the regime, to reduce the number of foreign visitors during preparations for its founding anniversary on Sept. 9.

There has also been speculation that it wants the coast clear to prepare for a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang. Xi is scheduled to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Sept. 11-13 and could stop over in North Korea first to attend the preparations.

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