North Korean airline Air Koryo, which was scheduled to make its first commercial flight in more than three years on Monday, canceled its flight at the last minute, international media reported.
According to France-Presse news agency (AFP), North Korea was the first country to close its borders in 2020, after China reported its first cases of Covid-19. Since then, with rare exceptions, Pyongyang has kept its borders closed.
An Air Koryo flight, which was initially expected to reach Beijing at 09:50 (02:50 in Lisbon) on Monday, was “cancelled” after a two-hour delay in travel, according to the AFP.
Several media outlets were awaiting the arrival of this flight, which would be North Korea’s first commercial connection abroad since 2020.
Air Koryo gave no explanation for this cancellation, Beijing-Capital airport told AFP. It was not possible to obtain information from the airline and its offices in downtown Beijing were closed.
After three years of isolation due to Covid-19, signs of a possible reopening of North Korea’s borders have increased.
Last month, Russian and Chinese officials took part in a military parade in Pyongyang, the first foreigners allowed to visit North Korea in years.
North Korea also sent athletes to a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan last week.
“There are signs that North Korea is reopening its borders,” South Korea’s unification ministry told AFP in Seoul.
“But it’s still difficult [nesta fase] determine whether the reopening will be complete or gradual and limited,” the ministry said.
According to the NK News portal, which specializes in North Korean affairs, Air Koryo should operate two flights between Vladivostok (Russia) and Pyongyang in the coming days.
Source: DN
