(Photo by Rodong Sinmun/NK News)
North Korea introduced a major coastal project aimed at boosting tourism and showcasing national development.
The newly opened Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone features a 4-kilometer stretch of beach that can accommodate approximately 20,000 visitors and is connected by a newly opened train station as well as an international airport. Visitors can expect high-rise hotels, water parks and sports facilities. The project reflects North Korea’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism.
The opening ceremony was attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, his wife, Ri Sol-ju, their daughter, Kim Ju-ae and Russian officials. Kim described the resort as “one of the greatest successes this year” and called the site “the proud first step” toward developing the country’s tourism industry.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the resort will be open to domestic tourists as of July 1st, although a confirmed date for welcoming international visitors has not been announced. While international tourism remains limited, Russian nationals are expected to be among the first foreign visitors to the Wonsan-Kalma resort, highlighting deepening diplomatic and economic ties between North Korea and Russia.
KCNA called the resort a “great, auspicious event” and the start of a “new era in tourism.” However, it remains unclear whether it will truly boost the country’s struggling tourism industry—or merely serve as another showcase for government propaganda.
Tourism is one of the few legal ways North Korea can earn income without breaking UN sanctions. The country shut its borders in early 2020 due to the pandemic, but began easing travel rules in 2023. Most places, including Pyongyang, remain closed to regular tourists, but Russian tour groups have been permitted entry. This indicates that North Korea is gradually restarting tourism, beginning with its close allies.