North Korea has unveiled a sprawling ‘world-class’ tourist resort on its eastern coast, marking a significant shift in the nation’s approach to tourism. The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, stretching over 4 kilometers, has been described by state-run KCNA as a ‘coastal resort town of our own style without an equal in the world.’ This ambitious project, unveiled in a ceremony attended by leader Kim Jong-un and Russia’s ambassador, includes hundreds of new buildings, including hotels that can accommodate up to 20,000 guests. Kim Jong-un hailed the development as a ‘proud first step’ on the road of implementing the government’s cultural tourism policy, emphasizing its role in promoting leisure and cultural activities for the populace.
The resort’s facilities are designed to cater to a diverse range of interests, featuring swimming pools, sports venues, shopping centers, and cultural event spaces. According to KCNA, the complex will begin service for domestic tourists on July 1, with the potential to attract international visitors, particularly from Russia. This development comes as part of an effort to bolster tourism, which has seen a notable increase in Russian visitors in recent years. In 2024 alone, over 1,500 Russian tourists visited North Korea, indicating a growing interest in the country’s tourism offerings. The Russian embassy’s presence at the resort’s opening ceremony underscores the strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia, with Russian officials indicating that organized group tours, including trips to Pyongyang, will begin in July.
Russian media reports suggest that the resort is being positioned as a key destination for Russian tourists, with eight-day beach packages estimated to cost around $1,800 per person. Despite the strict regulations governing tourism in North Korea, including mandatory guides, controlled itineraries, and restrictions on photographing sensitive sites, the increase in Russian visitors signals a positive development in the nation’s efforts to open up to international visitors. The resort’s opening is also seen as part of a broader strategy to leverage cultural and economic ties with Russia, following North Korea’s military assistance to Russia during the Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk Region earlier this year. As the resort prepares to welcome its first domestic tourists in July, the project stands as a symbol of North Korea’s ambitions to modernize its tourism sector and attract international attention.