Passenger train services between Pyongyang and Beijing will resume this week after being suspended for six years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was made by South Korea’s Unification Ministry on Tuesday, marking the reopening of an important transport connection between North Korea and its key economic partner, China.

The rail service had been stopped since early 2020 when North Korea imposed strict border closures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The resumption of the service signals a step toward restoring cross-border connectivity that had remained disrupted for several years.

According to China’s state railway, the passenger train between Pyongyang and Beijing will restart its round-trip operations on March 12. The train is expected to run four times every week between the two capitals. The service will initially operate on a limited scale.

Only the last two carriages of the train will be used for passengers at the beginning. These seats will mainly be reserved for diplomats and people travelling on official business between the two countries.

Yonhap News Agency quoted a railway official saying that public access may be possible depending on seat availability. The official said that tickets could be sold to the general public if seats remain available after accommodating official passengers.

Despite the reopening of the railway link, North Korea still remains largely closed to foreign tourism. According to travel agencies organising trips to the country, only a limited number of foreign visitors are currently allowed to enter. Some Russian tour groups have been permitted under restricted arrangements, but most international tourism remains suspended.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese visitors made up the largest number of foreign tourists travelling to North Korea. Travel agencies said that Chinese tourists accounted for the biggest share of international visitors to the country before borders were shut.

In a related development, tour organisers said on Monday that North Korea has cancelled next month’s Pyongyang Marathon. No reason was given for the cancellation. The marathon has been one of the few events in the country that allowed international participants to visit North Korea.

The reopening of the Pyongyang–Beijing train service therefore represents an important step in reconnecting North Korea with China after several years of isolation caused by pandemic restrictions.