North Korea has unveiled a major coastal tourism complex, which marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to boost its tourism industry. The facility, located on the eastern coast, includes accommodations for nearly 20,000 visitors along with a range of recreational activities such as swimming, sports, and dining options. Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, announced the project during an inauguration ceremony, describing it as one of the country’s major achievements in 2023. The state media reported that the resort will open to domestic tourists soon but will not be accessible to foreign visitors at this stage.
Experts suggest that North Korea may initially welcome Russian tourists, given its strong military and economic ties with Russia, before opening to Chinese and other international tourists. The country’s decision to delay foreign access also reflects its ongoing concerns about the lingering effects of the pandemic, political tensions with neighboring countries, and the desire to maintain a positive international image. Despite these challenges, Kim has been pushing to make the country a tourism hub as part of efforts to revive the ailing economy, with KCNA reporting that North Korea will soon confirm plans to build large tourist sites in other parts of the country.
Russia’s involvement in the project is evident, as Russian diplomats attended the inauguration ceremony, although it’s unclear whether Chinese diplomats were also invited. South Korean and American tourists will be among the last to be considered, according to Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies. The professor noted that while both new liberal South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump have expressed hopes to revive dialogue with North Korea, the country’s tourism policies are unlikely to change soon.
Analysts believe that the resort will open to Russian tourists first, which could potentially provide a significant financial boost to North Korea’s struggling economy. However, the country’s continued exclusion of foreign tourists highlights the complex political and economic situation it faces. As North Korea embarks on this new venture, its ability to manage these challenges will determine its success in emerging as a regional tourism destination.