North Korea Hosts Its First International Marathon in Six Years
For the first time in six years, North Korea hosted the Pyongyang International Marathon, attracting around 200 foreign participants to the streets of its secluded capital.
This marathon, initiated in 1981, has been a yearly event every April to commemorate the birth anniversary of its founding leader, Kim Il Sung.
The last marathon prior to Sunday took place in 2019, which saw 950 international runners. The following year, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea went into isolation.
Since then, North Korea has been gradual in opening up, permitting only tourists from Russia into its capital starting last year.
In mid-2023, North Korea began easing Covid-19 restrictions.
news courtesy | BBC
North Korea hosted the Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time in six years, welcoming around 200 foreign runners. Since its inception in 1981, the marathon has been an annual event in April to honor the birth of founding leader Kim Il Sung. The last race occurred in 2019 with 950 foreign participants before the country shut its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, North Korea has been slow to reopen, only accepting Russian tourists, and began relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in mid-2023. The event’s return marks a significant step in the country’s gradual reopening.
