North Korea Launches New Beach Resort to Attract Tourists

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, set on the east coast, plans to welcome domestic tourists starting July 1, following delays and a pandemic-induced hiatus.

North Korea is set to unveil a new beach resort, the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, as part of efforts by leader Kim Jong Un to revitalize the nation's tourism sector, according to reports from state media. While initially slated to open in October 2019, the resort will now begin welcoming domestic tourists on July 1, following delays exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The timeline for the introduction of foreign tourists remains unclear.

Wonsan, a coastal city where Kim spent his youth, is undergoing transformation. The area, historically known for missile testing, now intends to cater to up to 20,000 visitors along a picturesque 4km beachfront, featuring hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and a water park. These claims, however, remain unverifiable as the country grapples with severe economic challenges imposed by international sanctions due to its nuclear policies.

Observers suggest the initiative serves as a means for North Korea to generate revenue, especially as tourism dwindled during the pandemic. Currently, tour groups mainly originate from China and Russia—countries that have maintained cordial ties with Pyongyang. Rowan Beard of Young Pioneer Tours expressed skepticism about the resort's potential to attract international visitors, noting that it does not signal a wider reopening for global tourism.

Since the initial COVID-related lockdowns in early 2020, North Korea reopened its borders in mid-2023, cautiously receiving some tourists from Russia and Western nations, although the latter categories faced abrupt restrictions soon after. Tour operators remain divided regarding the resort's appeal to foreign travelers; while some argue it lacks draw compared to iconic sites like Pyongyang and the DMZ, others highlight a unique curiosity in experiencing a beach resort shaped by North Korea's specific cultural environment.

Celebrating the resort's development, Kim Jong Un described it as a "great, auspicious event," heralding a new era for tourism in North Korea. Construction issues delayed the resort opening for several years, and Kim attended a ceremony early this week featuring family members. The resort's launch occurs alongside a renewal of North Korea's ties with Russia, exemplified by the recent reinstatement of direct passenger train routes between the two nations. As North Korea navigates its foreign relations amid ongoing sanctions, the focus on tourism marks a significant shift in its economic strategy.