KYODO NEWS - Aug 27, 2017 - 19:41 | World, All

North Korea has cancelled an air show that was scheduled to take place next month in its eastern port city of Wonsan, a U.S.-based news site reported.

The 2017 Wonsan Air Show was canceled by the North Korean Preparatory Committee, NK News said, citing an official email from organizers seen on Friday.

While specific reasons for the cancellation were not revealed, the organizers cited "geopolitical reasons" and new travel warning from various countries, it said.

(KCNA/Kyodo)

North Korea watchers have speculated that the government may have axed the event to conserve its aviation fuel. A U.N. Security Council resolution adopted last year prohibits exports of aviation fuel and rocket fuel to the country.

The Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival was first held in September last year at Wonsan's recently upgraded Kalma Airport.

This year's second edition of the festival, which was set to showcase aircraft from the North's domestic airline Air Koryo, was slated for Sept. 23 and 24.

The government even set up an official website inviting foreign tourists to "what will undoubtedly be the highlight of the DPRK tourist calendar in 2017." DPRK is the acronym for Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as North Korea is officially known.