North Korea has unveiled a large coastal resort that may soon welcome foreign tourists. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, expressed his pleasure at the opening of the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area, calling it a significant achievement for the year. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim described the resort as "the proud first step" in the government’s strategy to boost tourism.
During a tour of the site, Kim was accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who is seen as his potential successor, as well as his wife, Ri Sol Ju. The new resort can accommodate about 20,000 visitors and is set to open for domestic tourists next Tuesday. However, details about when it might open to international visitors remain unclear.
This development is part of Kim’s broader efforts to turn North Korea into a tourist destination, aiming to revive the economy, which has struggled in recent years. State media has indicated that plans are in place to create additional large tourist sites across the country.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, North Korea has maintained strict restrictions on foreign tourists. Recently, however, the country began accepting Russian tourists as relations between the two nations deepen. Meanwhile, group tours from China, which previously accounted for over 90% of visitors to North Korea, are still on hold.
The ceremony marking the completion of the resort was attended by Russia’s ambassador to North Korea and embassy staff, though it was not reported whether any Chinese diplomats were present. In February, a small group of international tourists visited North Korea, but travel agencies later announced that tours would be paused. In April, the country hosted a marathon event that included foreign runners, signaling a cautious step towards reopening its borders.