In brief
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, set to open to domestic tourists on July 1, is a significant step by North Korea to attract visitors and generate revenue. The resort, originally slated for completion in 2019, aims to accommodate 20,000 guests along a 4 km beachfront, featuring hotels, restaurants, and a water park.
With tourism heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea reopens cautiously, aiming for potential appeal to the Russian market as diplomatic ties strengthen between the two nations. North Korea is opening a new beach resort as part of its initiative to boost tourism, aiming to attract both domestic and potentially foreign visitors. Kim Jong Un has high hopes for the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone located on the east coast, which is set to welcome domestic tourists starting July 1, six years later than originally planned. However, it remains uncertain when international tourists will be permitted.The development of the resort follows a series of construction delays and the constraints of strict pandemic-related border closures. According to state media KCNA, the resort can host up to 20,000 visitors along its expansive 4 km stretch of beach, complete with shopping malls, restaurants, and a water park, though verification of these details is challenging.North Korea faces significant economic hurdles due to long-standing sanctions connected to its nuclear ambitions, forcing the regime to allocate resources primarily toward military endeavors and iconic landmarks primarily in Pyongyang. Analysts suggest the resort could offer an alternative revenue stream, primarily focused on attracting tourists from China and Russia—nations with historically amicable relations with Pyongyang.Tour agency co-founder Rowan Beard expressed mixed feelings, suggesting the resort might not significantly entice Western tourists, who typically prefer established landmarks like Pyongyang and the DMZ. On the other hand, Elliott Davies from Uri Tours notes that the unique cultural context of the resort could attract niche travelers looking for unusual experiences.KCNA hailed the Wonsan Kalma resort as a "great, auspicious event" marking a new era in North Korean tourism. Kim Jong Un recently attended an event celebrating its completion, accompanied by his family and representatives from the Russian embassy, signaling the strengthening of ties between the two nations. As North Korea cautiously reopens its doors to foreign tourists, the future of Wonsan Kalma hangs in the balance, caught between the pressures of international diplomacy and ongoing sanctions.
