First N. Korean int’l commercial flight in 3 years lands in Beijing

North Korea's first international commercial flight in three years landed in Beijing on Tuesday morning. Air Koryo flight JS151 is state airline Air Koryo's first commercial flight since early 2020, after North Korea shut its borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

But after three years of Covid-induced isolation, there are increasing signs Pyongyang may be becoming more flexible on border controls. Chinese and Russian officials attended a military parade in the North Korean capital last month -- the first foreign dignitaries to visit the country in years. And last week Pyongyang allowed a delegation of athletes to attend a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan.