North Korea has officially restricted foreign tourists from visiting its newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a significant project aimed at bolstering the nation's tourism industry. Initially inaugurated on July 1st and promoted as a key destination for both locals and international visitors, the resort issued a notice on its tourism website stating that foreigners are "temporarily" prohibited from entering.
This development comes shortly after the first Russian tourists arrived at the Wonsan resort, coinciding with a visit from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who praised the seaside destination as an attractive spot for tourists and expressed hopes for its popularity among Russian travelers. The two countries have also announced plans for direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang starting later this month.
The Wonsan area, strategically important as it houses missile facilities, is also known for its connection to Kim Jong Un's youth, with the resort located among elite holiday villas. Spanning 4 kilometers along the coast, the resort consists of hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and a water park, catering to an estimated 20,000 visitors.
However, the construction of the resort, which began in 2018, has drawn condemnation from human rights advocates due to reported worker exploitation, as they claim laborers were subjected to long hours and poor working conditions without fair compensation.
Prior to the pandemic, North Korea had allowed Russian tourists to enter, but tourism was suspended for years. Following the reopening, foreign tourism experienced a brief resurgence, including visitors from Australia, France, Germany, and the UK, before it abruptly ceased a few weeks later without explanation.
Despite these setbacks, the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone aims to become a cornerstone of North Korea's tourism ambitions, though its future remains uncertain amid ongoing restrictions.
This development comes shortly after the first Russian tourists arrived at the Wonsan resort, coinciding with a visit from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who praised the seaside destination as an attractive spot for tourists and expressed hopes for its popularity among Russian travelers. The two countries have also announced plans for direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang starting later this month.
The Wonsan area, strategically important as it houses missile facilities, is also known for its connection to Kim Jong Un's youth, with the resort located among elite holiday villas. Spanning 4 kilometers along the coast, the resort consists of hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and a water park, catering to an estimated 20,000 visitors.
However, the construction of the resort, which began in 2018, has drawn condemnation from human rights advocates due to reported worker exploitation, as they claim laborers were subjected to long hours and poor working conditions without fair compensation.
Prior to the pandemic, North Korea had allowed Russian tourists to enter, but tourism was suspended for years. Following the reopening, foreign tourism experienced a brief resurgence, including visitors from Australia, France, Germany, and the UK, before it abruptly ceased a few weeks later without explanation.
Despite these setbacks, the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone aims to become a cornerstone of North Korea's tourism ambitions, though its future remains uncertain amid ongoing restrictions.
