North Korea is set to open a new beach resort as leader Kim Jong Un hopes to boost tourism on the country’s east coast.
The highly reclusive state opened one border – the Rason Special Economic Zone on the northeastern coast – to some tourists back in February.
It came after a five year closure, with borders locked down in January 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Highlights
- North Korea opened the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone to revive tourism, with domestic visits starting on July 1.
- Kim Jong Un praised the new beach resort as a major success and hopes it will become a world-class tourist destination.
- Images show Kim Jong Un enjoying the resort with his family, contrasting with typical headlines about nuclear threats.
Kim Jong Un has opened a new beach resort in the hopes of boosting tourism
Image credits: KCNA
But just weeks later, in March, the Rason border was abruptly shut down to tourists.
Now, the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone has been officially opened by Kim in an effort to revive tourism.
State media KCNA reported that Kim “expressed deep emotion” over the building of Wonsan Kalma, which he hailed as “one of the greatest successes.”
“Kim Jong Un expressed belief that the wave of happiness to be raised in the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area will shine its attractive name as a world-level tourist resort, heralding the future of paradises to be built in different parts of the country,” KCNA said.
Image credits: KCNA
It is unclear if the foreign visitors will be welcomed to the beach resort, but it will be open to domestic tourism starting on July 1.
Internationally, the resort may be part of a broader push to polish North Korea’s image and quietly reopen its economy, even as foreign tourism remains tightly restricted.
While the elite in Pyongyang enjoy a much higher standard of living, North Korea is generally considered a poor country because of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons program, which have severely restricted trade and foreign investment.
According to KCNA, hotels in the resort can accommodate nearly 20,000 people, and it boasts sporting and amusement facilities.
Image credits: KCNA
After an inaugural opening ceremony, Kim toured some of the beachfront complex, including the Myongsasimni Water Park, Kalma Moranbong Hotel and Myongsasimni Hotel.
He was photographed with his daughter and presumed heir, Kim Ju-ae, and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, as they sat by a pool and watched children careen down two waterslides.
In one image, Kim and Ri were seen standing on a beach surrounded by officials as numerous hotels could be seen in the background.
The family-friendly beach scenes are a sharp contrast to Kim’s usual portrayal in global headlines, which often focus on nuclear threats and diplomatic standoffs.
The relationship between Kim and Putin has raised concerns
Image credits: Kremlin Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images
While the coastal resort paints a softer image, it comes at a time when Pyongyang is deepening its military cooperation with Moscow, including sending troops and laborers to support Russian operations in Ukraine.
The alliance has strengthened in recent months, with arms transfers and military visits raising concerns about a growing partnership between the two isolated regimes.
In April, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed for the first time that North Korean troops are fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war.
At the same time, North Korea continues to advance its nuclear weapons program, unveiling new tactical warheads and long-range missile systems in defiance of international sanctions.