Overview

• Kim Jong Un recently inspected the Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort, which includes hotels, water parks, and recreational areas along a 4-kilometer stretch of beach.
• The project is described by state media as a key step in North Korea's efforts to develop its tourism sector and attract foreign currency amid international sanctions.
• North Korea reopened its borders in August 2023 after nearly four years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with limited foreign tourist visits resuming shortly thereafter.
• The first foreign tour group since the reopening consisted of Russian tourists, reflecting strengthened ties between North Korea and Russia in recent years.
• The resort is set to open to the public in June 2025, though challenges such as strict visitor controls and limited infrastructure remain significant obstacles to broader tourism growth.