It was supposed to be a symbolic reopening of North Korea, the first flight abroad in over three years. But Monday's flight from Pyongyang to Beijing was canceled.

Media and onlookers had gathered at the Chinese capital's major airport, BCIA, to welcome Air Koryo flight JS151 from Pyongyang. Many wanted to see the isolated North Korea's first international air passengers since the beginning of 2020. But the scheduled landing time of 9:50 a.m. came and went.

Only two hours later did the airport boards flash an update: ”Cancelled.” No explanation from North Korea’s state-owned airline, Air Koryo, was immediately forthcoming.

North Korea closed its borders early in the pandemic, and long denied that COVID-19 even existed in the country. The land borders with China and Russia are also still closed to ordinary travelers, but some trade is now believed to be allowed.

And special trips have begun to occur. Last week, the Pyongyang regime released a sports team to a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan. According to South Korean media, they were allowed to cross the Chinese border by land, and then were able to fly to the championships from there.

Source: TT-DI.SE