For decades, the dream of Korean reunification wasn’t just a political talking point—it was a fundamental pillar of identity on both sides of the 38th parallel. Known as “Tongil” (통일) in Korean, reunification was once the ultimate goal, with both the North and South pushing their own vision of a united Korea.
This ambition spilled over into tourism, with sites like the DMZ, Kaesong, and even Pyongyang itself serving as showcases for the hope—or illusion—of an eventual reunification. But times have changed, and so has the narrative. Nowhere is this more evident than in North Korea’s tourism industry, where the very concept of Tongil has been systematically erased.
Click to read about the Confederal Republic of Koryo.
Tongil Tourism in North Korea
For years, North Korea’s tourism industry revolved around reunification. The DMZ, particularly the Panmunjom Joint Security Area (JSA), was a staple of any visit to the North. Tourists could stand in the famous blue conference buildings where armistice talks took place, hear North Korean guides passionately denounce the South’s “Concrete Wall”—a supposed physical barrier dividing the peninsula—and visit Kaesong, the ancient capital of the Goryeo Dynasty and a symbol of inter-Korean cooperation.
Kaesong was more than just a historical site; it was a political statement. The city housed the now-defunct Kaesong Industrial Complex, a rare example of economic collaboration between the two Koreas, where South Korean businesses once employed North Korean workers. Monuments like the Tongil Pavilion and the Reunification Monument in Pyongyang reinforced the idea that a united Korea was not just a possibility, but an inevitability.
DMZ Tourism in South Korea
While North Korea has aggressively rewritten its narrative on reunification, South Korea has continued to capitalize on DMZ tourism. The border remains one of the most visited sites in the country, with attractions like the Dora Observatory—where visitors can peer into the North—and the Third Tunnel of Aggression, allegedly dug by the North for an invasion.
Other key sites include the Freedom Bridge, once used for prisoner exchanges, and Imjingak Park, filled with war memorials and remnants of divided families. The DMZ Peace Train, running from Seoul to Dorasan Station—the last stop before the North—serves as both a tourist attraction and a symbol of unfulfilled hopes for reconnection.
Sokcho – A City Caught in the Divide
Beyond the DMZ, Sokcho on South Korea’s east coast is another city shaped by the Korean War. Originally part of North Korea, Sokcho became South Korean territory after the conflict, with many of its residents being refugees from the North. Even today, the city has deep cultural and familial ties to the other side of the border.
Now a thriving tourist destination, Sokcho is known for its seafood, stunning beaches, and proximity to Seoraksan National Park. While its direct connection to reunification has faded, the city remains a reminder of how the Korean War reshaped the peninsula.
Click to read about the move away from Reunification.
The End of Tongil in North Korea
In recent years, North Korea has undergone a dramatic shift in policy, moving away from reunification and toward a narrative of permanent division. The famous Reunification Archway in Pyongyang has been demolished. Subway stations and streets once named after reunification have been quietly renamed. Even tourism has been restructured to remove any reference to Tongil.
Sample itineraries provided by the DPRK to foreign travel agencies no longer include the DMZ or Kaesong. This is a significant break from the past, as these locations were once among the most visited sites in the country. The removal of these sites from the official tourism program signals a complete rebranding of how North Korea wants to present itself—no longer as a country waiting for reunification, but as a state that has accepted and embraced division.
Click to read about how Reunification does not always work.
The Future of Tongil and Tongil Tours
Whether Tongil, both as a political goal and a tourism theme, will ever return remains uncertain. Relations between the two Koreas have only grown colder in recent years, with North Korea now focusing on self-reliance and military strength rather than reconciliation.
For now, Tongil Tours as a concept is in limbo. While South Korea continues to promote DMZ-related tourism, North Korea has moved on, signaling a fundamental ideological shift. With tensions rising and no sign of a thaw, the dream of reunification—and the tourism industry that once surrounded it—seems more distant than ever.
While we do not offer Tongil Tours, we do offer North Korea Tours.
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