North Korea is set to open a new beach resort on its east coast, with leader Kim Jong Un hailing the project as a key milestone in boosting domestic tourism, according to state media. The Wonsan Kalma resort, located on a 4km stretch along the Sea of Japan, will welcome local tourists starting July 1—six years after its originally scheduled launch.
North Korea’s state-run news agency KCNA described the resort’s completion as a “great, auspicious event of the whole country” and a “prelude to a new era” for tourism. The facility reportedly includes hotels, restaurants, a shopping district, a water park, and entertainment venues, with capacity for up to 20,000 visitors. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
While the resort is expected to open initially only to North Korean citizens, it remains unclear when—if at all—it will begin accepting foreign tourists. The project underscores Kim’s efforts to reshape the port city of Wonsan, where he reportedly spent parts of his childhood and where many of the country’s elite own private villas. The area once hosted a missile testing site.
The development of Wonsan Kalma, delayed by construction setbacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, reflects Pyongyang’s continued investment in infrastructure aimed at bolstering its image despite economic hardship and sweeping international sanctions. North Korea remains one of the world’s most isolated economies, with much of its resources devoted to military spending and state propaganda.
Some observers suggest the resort may serve as a tool to attract much-needed foreign currency. Tourism remains one of the few economic lifelines for the regime, primarily drawing visitors from China and Russia. However, the pandemic prompted a total border closure in early 2020, and while limited re-openings began in 2023, access for most Western tourists remains restricted.
“It’s unlikely Wonsan will become a major destination for Western travellers,” said Rowan Beard, co-founder of Young Pioneer Tours, which operates trips to North Korea. “Most foreign visitors are still more interested in Pyongyang, the DMZ, and iconic landmarks.”
Still, some tour operators see potential in the resort. “There’s niche appeal in experiencing something as familiar as a beach resort, reimagined within North Korea’s unique cultural framework,” said Elliott Davies of Uri Tours.
Kim Jong Un attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 24, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju—making her first public appearance since January—and their daughter, Kim Ju Ae. Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, was also present, reflecting the two nations’ deepening ties.
The resort’s opening coincides with renewed cooperation between North Korea and Russia. A direct passenger rail line between Pyongyang and Moscow resumed this week after a five-year pandemic-induced suspension, and Pyongyang has sent troops to support Moscow in its war in Ukraine—moves that have drawn further condemnation from Western nations.
While the future of international tourism to North Korea remains uncertain, the Wonsan Kalma resort signals Pyongyang’s intent to develop attractions aimed at both domestic prestige and international curiosity.
