North Korea opens massive Wonsan beach resort amid tourism push

North Korea has unveiled its ambitious Wonsan‑Kalma coastal resort, launching operations on July 1 with room for up to 20,000 guests. The opening ceremony on June 24 featured Kim Jong Un alongside his wife Ri Sol‑ju and daughter Kim Ju‑ae, who were seen exploring the resort’s beaches, water park, hotels, restaurants, sports facilities, and cinemas. Built on an area once used for missile tests, the project, pictured by state media as “North Korea’s Waikiki”, took years to complete due to pandemic delays and sanctions.

Currently open to North Korean citizens, the resort will soon host scheduled Russian tour groups starting mid‑July, while access for other foreign visitors (especially Western and Chinese tourists) remains uncertain. Analysts view the development as part of Pyongyang’s effort to diversify its economy and attract foreign currency via tourism, despite deepening sanctions and limited travel infrastructure.

Source: npr.org