North Korea Unveils New Luxury Beach Resort in Wonsan

North Korea has a new luxury beach resort in the city of Wonsan on its eastern seacoast. The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area features high-rise hotels, villas, a water park, gym, concert hall, restaurant, auto shop, car wash, beer hall, and department store. This move indicates North Korea's pursuit of economic prosperity alongside military ambitions and dictatorship.

Despite Kim Jong Un's vision of making Wonsan a 'world destination,' it remains uncertain if the resort will open to most foreign tourists. The resort, a marquee project, faced delays due to international sanctions and the pandemic. While domestic tourists have started visiting, the impact on the economy is unclear given North Korea's restrictions and economic challenges.

Russians are expected to be the first foreign visitors to the resort, as North Korea has strengthened ties with Russia. However, concerns remain about North Korea's infrastructure, restrictions on visitors, and geopolitical uncertainties affecting its tourism ambitions.

In a recent ceremony, Kim Jong Un highlighted North Korea's tourism resources and stability, pledging to develop more tourist resorts based on the success of the Kalma project.