North Korea Unveils New Coastal Resort to Lure Russian Tourists

North Korea has inaugurated a new beach resort designed to attract tourists from Russia, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry on Thursday.

The Wonsan Kalma resort, situated on the eastern coastline of the country near a former missile testing area, is slated to open to local visitors in July.

Originally, completion of the resort was planned for April 2019 to honor the birthday of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea. However, issues related to sanctions that affected the availability of construction materials, along with the Covid-19 pandemic, postponed the project, as reported by the Korean Herald.

According to the BBC, Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, spent his childhood in Wonsan, home to many of the nation’s elite, and has consistently shown interest in enhancing the area’s development.

Covering a four-kilometer stretch of beachfront, the facility will include hotels, dining options, retail spaces, and a water park. There will be both affordable accommodations and luxury cottages available, alongside hotels offering various amenities, as stated by North Korea’s state media agency KCNA.

KCNA mentioned that “the tourist area is equipped with facilities capable of hosting approximately 20,000 guests, providing both domestic and international tourists with accommodation options that match their preferences.”

During the inauguration, Kim described the initiative as a «prelude to a new era» for North Korea’s tourism sector.

Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora was present at the ceremony as a distinguished guest.

Tour operators cited by the BBC suggest that the resort is expected to primarily serve Russian tourists.

“The invitation of the Russian ambassador and the emphasis placed on it in the state media seem to indicate a focus on attracting Russian visitors,” an unnamed official from the Unification Ministry told the Korean Herald.

This opening occurs in a context of enhanced ties between North Korea and Russia.

This week, the two nations resumed cross-border rail services, and a Russian airline has requested permission to establish a direct air route between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Elliott Davis, director of Uri Tours, a private tour agency that facilitates travel for Westerners to North Korea, remarked to the BBC that the isolated nation has a «niche appeal» for certain tourists.

«It’s fascinating to visit a beach resort that exists within the distinctive cultural framework of North Korea,» he said.