Russians Can Now Fly to North Korea – But South Koreans Still Can’t: Why This Matters
After more than three years of isolation, North Korea has made a surprising move: it’s reopened commercial flights — not with its neighboring South Korea, but with Russia.
This development isn’t just about aviation. It marks a significant geopolitical shift and reflects the complex web of relationships shaping Northeast Asia today.
North Korea Reopens — But Selectively
In early 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, North Korea completely shut its borders. Even its closest allies like China and Russia were locked out. During this period, trade, aid, and diplomatic contact were nearly impossible.
But in mid-2024, a change came. Air Koryo, North Korea’s national airline, resumed direct flights between Pyongyang and Vladivostok, Russia. On board were Russian citizens — tourists, diplomats, and business travelers. This move came as a shock to many who expected China or even humanitarian routes to open first.
Why Russia? The reasons are rooted in both politics and convenience.
North Korea and Russia: Strengthening Ties
The relationship between North Korea and Russia stretches back to the Cold War. Historically, the Soviet Union was a key supporter of the North Korean regime. While that support faded in the 1990s, recent years have seen a quiet renewal of ties.
Russia, under economic sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine, is seeking new diplomatic and economic allies. North Korea, isolated and sanctioned as well, fits that role. Reports have suggested potential arms exchanges, labor cooperation, and trade in return for food, oil, or political support.
For North Korea, Russia offers more than just commerce. Russia’s role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council means it can shield Pyongyang from international pressure.
The restart of direct flights isn’t just logistical — it’s symbolic of a new chapter in their bilateral partnership.
South Korea: Still Completely Barred
In contrast, South Korean citizens remain completely banned from entering North Korea. This includes not just tourists or journalists, but even those seeking to reunite with family members left behind decades ago.
The deterioration of inter-Korean relations has been rapid in recent years. After the collapse of peace talks in 2019 and the election of conservative leadership in South Korea, the North has hardened its stance.
Military exercises between South Korea and the United States have drawn sharp condemnation from Pyongyang. North Korea has responded with missile tests and increasingly aggressive rhetoric. There are no diplomatic channels open, and no signs of reconciliation on the horizon.
This selective reopening — allowing Russians but not South Koreans — sends a clear message: North Korea is choosing to engage only with those it sees as strategically valuable.
Why This News Matters
This development is more than an aviation update — it reflects deeper political and humanitarian concerns. Here’s why it’s significant:
1. Regional Realignments Are Becoming Clearer
North Korea, Russia, and to a lesser extent China are slowly aligning more tightly in opposition to the Western-led world order. The resumption of flights shows that the North is ready to deepen that alignment.
2. South Korea’s Position Is Weakened
Despite its technological advancement and democratic governance, South Korea is being pushed out of regional diplomacy. Its exclusion from North Korean outreach is a loss not just for Seoul, but for the cause of Korean reunification and peace.
3. Families Remain Divided
Perhaps the most painful aspect is the human toll. Thousands of families have been separated since the Korean War in the 1950s. Occasional reunions have offered brief hope, but today, those efforts seem all but impossible. Every day that travel remains banned for South Koreans is another day of silence and separation for these families.
A Long History of Division
To fully understand the emotional impact of this story, we must revisit the history of the Korean Peninsula. In 1945, after Japan’s defeat in World War II, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel. The Korean War (1950–1953) ended not with peace, but with an armistice.
Since then, the North and South have existed in a state of suspended conflict — technically still at war. Attempts at diplomacy, including summits and cultural exchanges, have occasionally offered hope. But those efforts are now stalled, and trust is eroding.
What’s Next for North Korea’s Foreign Relations?
The resumption of flights to Russia could be just the beginning. Some analysts believe China may follow soon, as Pyongyang looks to expand economic activity without opening fully to the world.
But one thing seems certain: South Korea will not be part of that equation in the near future.
This new era of selectivity shows that North Korea isn’t merely reopening; it’s recalibrating. It’s choosing allies not based on geography or shared culture, but on strategic alignment and mutual interest.
Final Thoughts
The image of Russian tourists landing in Pyongyang while South Koreans remain banned is a stark one. It underscores how politics can override even the deepest human bonds — between families, neighbors, and once-united peoples.
Behind every closed border are stories of waiting, of separation, and of lives shaped by forces beyond their control.
North Korea’s selective reopening is more than a flight path — it’s a message to the world. And for South Koreans still hoping for reconciliation, it’s a painful reminder that the path to peace remains steep and uncertain.
