North Korea has officially prohibited foreign visitors from accessing its newly inaugurated beach resort, as announced by the country’s tourism administration this week. This development comes shortly after a visit by Russia’s top diplomat to the region.
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The extensive seaside resort, located on North Korea’s east coast and championed by leader Kim Jong-un, welcomed domestic guests earlier this month amid much celebration in state-run media.
Affectionately dubbed “North Korea’s Waikiki” by South Korean media outlets, the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone boasts an array of high-rise hotels and water parks, with a capacity to accommodate around 20,000 guests. It represents a significant investment in the nation’s tourism sector.
Previously, state media indicated that Russian tour groups were anticipated to visit Wonsan in the upcoming months, highlighting an effort to revitalize international tourism.
Analysts note that Kim Jong-un has shown a strong commitment to developing North Korea’s tourism industry since the early days of his leadership, with the coastal resort serving as a focal point. He emphasized that the construction of this beach resort would be marked as “one of the greatest successes this year,” and he vowed to create additional large-scale tourist zones “in the shortest time possible.”
In a recent development, the North had allowed Russian tourists to return for the first time post-pandemic last year, and Western tour operators made a brief return in February this year. However, Seoul’s unification ministry has expressed that international tourism to the new resort “is likely to remain small in scale” due to limited flight options.
During a meeting in Wonsan last week, Mr. Kim and Mr. Lavrov discussed bilateral support, with Kim offering Moscow his “full and unconditional” backing for its actions in Ukraine, according to reports from KCNA. Lavrov praised the seaside project as a promising “tourist attraction,” suggesting that it could attract both local and Russian travelers seeking new destinations.
In anticipation of increased tourism, Russia has announced plans for twice-a-week flights between Moscow and Pyongyang, signaling a commitment to strengthening travel connections.
As the world keeps a watchful eye on North Korea’s evolving tourism ambitions, it is clear that the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone stands as a testament to the country’s aspirations in reestablishing its place on the global tourism map.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
