Staff Reports
After a significant six-year break, a passenger train has once again embarked on its journey from China to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. It’s hard to imagine that trains, once a common sight rolling across borders, had been paused for such a long time! The hiatus was primarily due to North Korea’s strict border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the long-awaited reopening seems to be a cautious step back towards normalcy, particularly in terms of its relationship with China.
This train service is quite the expedition! The journey takes a full 24 hours, transforming eager travelers into overnight train companions. The ticket prices range from about $150 to $215, depending on whether one opts for a cozy bunker car with a door for that extra layer of privacy. With a train that has around 15 or 16 cars, it’s fascinating to note that only two are designated for passengers, while most of the train is reserved for cargo. Those on board aren’t your average tourists, either. Instead, they are likely engaged in crucial business dealings, government work, or diplomatic missions.
China has traditionally been a major player in North Korean tourism, providing a valuable source of income for the cash-strapped regime. However, since the pandemic began, that flow has dramatically dwindled. Instead, North Korea has sought closer ties with Russia, drawing the attention of global observers. It’s interesting to consider that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been cozying up to Vladimir Putin, forming ties that extend beyond mere friendship, including economic and military collaborations.
Despite their shared border, the relationship between North Korea and China has been rocky during the pandemic. However, there have been recent flickers of improvement. Kim Jong-un’s visit to Beijing for a military parade last year was a notable exception to the otherwise frosty relations. It hinted that, perhaps after a long stretch of frosty receptions, there might be a warming trend on the horizon.
As trains once again rumble along this vital route, many are keenly watching how this rekindling of transportation will influence the dynamics between North Korea and China. Will this rekindling of rail travel lead to deeper ties, or will it instead serve as a mere footnote in their history? Only time will tell, but right now, the world is all aboard for what comes next!
