North Korea is finally opening its long-awaited beach resort at Wonsan Kalma, but don’t expect it to be a paradise for foreign tourists. Kim Jong Un, the leader of the country known for its strict communist regime and isolation, hopes this project will boost tourism in a nation that has been under sanctions and nearly closed off to the world for decades. The resort, which was supposed to be completed six years ago, will finally open to domestic tourists on July 1st, but when foreigners will be allowed in remains a mystery.
Wonsan Kalma was once a missile testing site and is now being transformed into a luxury city with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and a water park, capable of hosting around 20,000 visitors. State media praise this development as the start of a new era of tourism in North Korea, but skeptics say it’s just another way for Pyongyang to make money, with most tourists coming from China and Russia — countries with which North Korea maintains friendly ties.
Tourism in North Korea nearly collapsed during the coronavirus pandemic, with the country closing its borders in early 2020. Although borders partially reopened for Russian tourists in mid-2022, and then for tourists from the UK, France, Germany, and Australia in early 2023, tourism was soon halted again without clear explanation.
Many tour operators believe Wonsan Kalma won’t be a major attraction for Western tourists, who still prefer to visit Pyongyang, the demilitarized zone, and other communist-era landmarks. However, some argue North Korea remains attractive due to its unique culture and isolation, offering an unusual and intriguing experience for travelers seeking something different.
The resort’s opening comes as North Korea and Russia strengthen their ties despite Western sanctions. The two countries recently reopened a direct rail link between Pyongyang and Moscow, and North Korea has even sent troops to support Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. This sheds new light on how ready North Korea is to open up to the outside world, while still being deeply connected to its allies.
Kim Jong Un personally attended the resort’s opening ceremony on June 24th, accompanied by his daughter and wife, as well as the Russian ambassador. While the resort is primarily intended for domestic tourists, Russian tourists are expected to be among the first foreign visitors, as they are currently the only foreigners allowed entry to certain parts of the country.
Overall, North Korea is trying to present itself as a country that is changing and opening up, but the question remains how much this luxury project is truly a step toward modernization, and how much it is just another facade for a regime that still holds tight control over its population and borders. Will Wonsan Kalma become a tourist destination or just another propaganda stunt? Only time will tell.
So, what do you think? Would you dare to vacation in North Korea? Or is this just another Kim Jong Un trick to fool us all? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s brave and who just likes to laugh from the sidelines!
