North Korea, one of the world’s most closed countries, has invited foreign golfers to take part in an amateur tournament in Pyongyang to “develop bonds of friendship” with their North Korean counterparts, AFP and Agerpres reported.

Since the beginning of 2020, the country has imposed very strict restrictions to combat COVID-19, but there are increasing signs that the regime may relax border controls.

And the invitation addressed to foreign golfers goes in this direction.

The golf course in the North Korean capital hosts “competitions for amateur golfers in the spring and fall, and foreign amateurs can also participate,” according to the website of the golf course, which is run by the Pyongyang Tourism Administration.

In another sign of openness, Beijing confirmed in July that North Korea had registered for the Asian Games in China in September.

Un Chan-Il, a defector turned researcher who heads the World Institute for North Korea Studies, said Pyongyang had “made golf an important way to earn foreign currency” and even set up a “golf department” at a prominent sports facility. university in the capital.