▲ This file photo, released by the Korean Central News Agency, shows the Pyongyang International Marathon on April 6, 2025. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

Pyongyang marathon-registration

Early bird registration opens for 2026 int'l marathon in N. Korea

SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- A tour agency in China has opened early bird registration for next year's Pyongyang International Marathon in North Korea, the agency's website showed Tuesday.

Beijing-based Koryo Tours, which specializes in travel to North Korea, is offering a 50 percent early bird discount on its website for those who register for the marathon by Sept. 1.

Koryo Tours said next year's Pyongyang International Marathon is set for April, but the exact date has not been confirmed.

In April, North Korea hosted the marathon for the first time in six years, following a COVID-19 suspension, with runners participating from North Korea, China, Morocco, Ethiopia and other countries.

The marathon competition was launched in 1981 to celebrate North Korean founder Kim Il-sung's birthday on April 15 and had been held annually until it was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

North Korea is now shifting its focus to tourism, which is exempt from international sanctions, to earn much-needed foreign currency. But entry for foreigners to the Rason special economic zone and the Kamla beach resort area has been temporarily suspended for unclear reasons.

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