Critics highlight human rights abuses linked to the rapid development of North Korea's new Wonsan Kalma resort, which seeks to attract foreign tourists, particularly from Russia and China, while concerns persist over the working conditions faced by construction workers.
North Korea Unveils Wonsan Kalma Resort to Russian Tourists Amid Human Rights Concerns
North Korea Unveils Wonsan Kalma Resort to Russian Tourists Amid Human Rights Concerns
The recently inaugurated Wonsan Kalma beach resort in North Korea has attracted its first group of Russian visitors, raising questions about the treatment of workers involved in its construction.
A new beach resort in North Korea, criticized by human rights advocates for the harsh treatment of construction workers, has welcomed its inaugural group of Russian tourists this week. The Wonsan Kalma resort, inaugurated last month by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was labeled a "world-class tourist and cultural destination." However, the resort's development has been largely veiled in secrecy amidst widespread human rights concerns.
BBC Verify has employed satellite imagery, internal planning documents, and insights from experts and defectors to assess the human rights situation surrounding the resort's construction. Kim Jong Un has strong ties to Wonsan, having spent much of his youth there, and the area was previously a favored vacation locale for the nation's elite.
Ri Jong Ho, a former senior North Korean economic official who defected in 2014, noted that the plan was to draw around a million tourists while maintaining strict control over access to the region. In preparation, Kim dispatched a delegation to Spain in 2017 to study the Benidorm resort, focusing on its high-rise hotels and entertainment facilities. A brochure for the Wonsan resort outlines 43 hotels alongside guest houses and a camping area, with aerial imagery suggesting substantial progress in construction, though verification of completion remains uncertain.
The construction pace has spurred concerns over worker treatment, as reports indicate the use of so-called "shock brigades"—groups of laborers subjected to harsh working conditions, long hours, and meager compensation. The UN has highlighted such forced labor systems within North Korea, pointing to reports of workers toiling around the clock to meet project timelines. Testimonies from defectors have revealed harrowing accounts of laborers facing dire physical conditions and heightened expectations to complete tasks regardless of personal risk.
The resort's rapid development has also led to the displacement of local residents, with reports of homes being demolished without compensation to make room for the expanding project. Notably, satellite imagery corroborates claims of significant property destruction around key access roads to the resort.
While foreign tourism in North Korea remains highly restricted, the Wonsan Kalma resort is viewed as a critical venture to revitalize the struggling economy and bolster ties with Russia, particularly following North Korea’s military support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine. Despite the resort's opening, preliminary findings from tourism agencies suggest limited interest; Russian travel agents report minimal enrollment for tours, although prices remain steep in comparison to local wages.
Experts in Russian-North Korean relations have expressed skepticism about the resort's appeal, noting that Russian tourists often prefer destinations that offer better service and freedom from heavy supervision. As the situation unfolds, concerns about worker rights and the ethical implications of tourism in North Korea continue to dominate discussions.
