North Korea's Luxury Beach Paradise You Can't Visit?

North Korea Unveils Lavish Beach Resort Amidst Continued Isolation

North Korea has officially opened the doors to its brand-new luxury beach resort in Wonsan, a move that raises eyebrows and sparks curiosity given the nation's tight grip on tourism and ongoing geopolitical tensions. The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a sprawling development along the eastern seacoast, is now a reality, showcasing a vision of economic prosperity juxtaposed against the backdrop of military ambitions.

Remember President Trump's words during the 2018 summit with Kim Jong Un? He envisioned North Korea transforming its beaches into world-class tourist destinations. While nuclear negotiations ultimately faltered, the Wonsan Kalma resort appears to be a partial realization of that aspiration.

Here's what we know about the new resort:

• Extensive Infrastructure: The resort boasts around 400 buildings, including high-rise hotels and villas.
• Impressive Capacity: It can accommodate approximately 20,000 guests.
• Comprehensive Amenities: Features include a water park, gym, concert hall, restaurant, auto shop, car wash, beer hall, and department store.
• Prime Location: Situated along a 2.5-mile stretch of the Kalma Peninsula.

Despite Kim Jong Un's ambition to make Wonsan a "world destination," the resort's accessibility to foreign tourists remains uncertain. This unveiling comes even as North Korea has continued missile tests in the same city as recently as May.

Tourism as an Economic Lifeline

Since assuming leadership, Kim Jong Un has actively promoted tourism as a crucial strategy to revitalize North Korea's economy, which continues to be heavily sanctioned. Tourism represents one of the few legitimate avenues for generating foreign currency revenue. The goal is also to stimulate economic growth in regions lagging behind the capital, Pyongyang.

However, the nation's persistent military advancements and increasing isolation have significantly hindered these tourism efforts.

Challenges and Delays

The Kalma tourism zone, a flagship project, faced numerous setbacks during its construction, spanning nearly a decade. International sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown caused considerable delays. Originally slated for completion in 2018 after breaking ground in 2016, the project's timeline was repeatedly extended.

The resort began welcoming domestic tourists on Tuesday; however, it remains to be seen whether they will provide the desired economic boost. North Korea's strict limitations on freedom of movement and pervasive economic hardships, with an estimated 60% of the population living in poverty, pose significant challenges.

Foreign Tourists: A Slow and Uncertain Return

North Korea has demonstrated hesitancy in reopening its borders to foreign tourists. Earlier this year, a small group of Western tourists was briefly allowed entry for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic-related border closures in 2020. However, this was abruptly halted after only three weeks, without any official explanation.

Tourist groups from China, who previously constituted the majority of foreign visitors, have yet to return.

Russia: A Budding Partnership?

One notable exception to the tourism pause is Russia, with whom North Korea has been rapidly strengthening ties and cooperation, particularly following the signing of a mutual defense treaty in 2024.

Russians are expected to be among the first international visitors to the new resort. Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Matsegora was a special guest at the resort's completion ceremony. Tass reported that the first group of Russian tourists is scheduled to depart for Kalma next week.

Nevertheless, the number of Russian tourists remains modest. In 2024, fewer than 900 Russians traveled to North Korea for leisure, a stark contrast to the hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists who once frequented the country annually.

Skepticism Remains

Lee Sangkeun, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, expresses skepticism regarding North Korea's tourism ambitions. He argues that the country may not be appealing to travellers from major Russian cities due to the long journey, stringent restrictions, and constant surveillance.

Lee also cites North Korea's inadequate infrastructure and vulnerability to geopolitical instability as factors that cast doubt on its tourism potential.

Kim Jong Un's Optimism

Despite these challenges, Kim Jong Un, during the opening ceremony, emphasized the "diverse and rich tourism resources and unique political stability and institutional durability" of North Korea. He pledged to develop additional large tourist resorts, drawing on the "success and experiences gained in the Kalma development."

The opening of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area is undoubtedly a significant development. Whether it will truly usher in a new era of tourism and economic prosperity for North Korea remains to be seen. The project stands as a symbol of ambition, resilience, and the enduring complexities of a nation striving to reshape its global image.

Tags: North Korea, luxury resort, Wonsan, Kalma, beach resort, tourist area, Kim Jong Un, North Korea tourism, travel, new resort

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/05/g-s1-75663/north-korea-beach-resort-wonsan-tourism