North Korea will reopen one city to foreign tourists in December after nearly five years of border closures due to the Covid pandemic.

At least two China-based tour operators have announced that tourists will soon be allowed to visit the mountainous northern city of Samjiyon.

Reclusive North Korea sealed itself off at the start of the pandemic in early 2020. The border closures also cut off imports of essential goods, leading to food shortages that were made worse by international sanctions because of the country’s nuclear programme.

Mr Kim said plans to “revitalize international tourism” would be aimed at visitors from “friendly” nations.