North Korea's Wonsan Kalma resort, aimed at boosting tourism and economic ties with Russia, has welcomed its first Russian tourists, despite serious allegations of human rights abuses during its construction, involving forced labor and harsh working conditions.
New Wonsan Resort Welcomes Russian Tourists Amid Human Rights Concerns
New Wonsan Resort Welcomes Russian Tourists Amid Human Rights Concerns
The newly inaugurated Wonsan Kalma resort in North Korea has opened its doors to Russian tourists, drawing criticism from human rights advocates over labor conditions in its construction.
A newly developed resort in North Korea, known as the Wonsan Kalma resort, has recently opened its doors to a group of Russian tourists, amidst a backdrop of alarming human rights concerns. The facility was inaugurated in a lavish ceremony by the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, who touted it as a "world-class tourist and cultural destination."
However, the construction of this resort has raised numerous questions regarding human rights practices within North Korea. Investigations into the site, utilizing satellite imagery and expert testimonies, reveal the troubling conditions under which the resort was built. Human rights organizations have noted an increase in forced labor, as well as "shock brigades," where workers endure harsh working conditions and inadequate wages.
A Korean economic official, Ri Jong Ho, who defected in 2014 and was involved in the resort’s planning, stated that the North Korean government originally aimed to attract one million tourists to the area while maintaining it as a closed zone. The resort reflects the regime's attempt to open North Korea slightly to foreign tourism.
The ambitious project was inspired by a fact-finding trip Kim sent a delegation on, which included visits to the famous Benidorm resort in Spain. The ambitious plans revealed include extensive accommodations, such as 43 hotels, an aquatic park, and entertainment facilities. However, much speculation endures regarding the completion of these amenities and the eventual treatment of the workers involved in the construction, with reports emerging about incredibly strenuous working hours and food deprivation.
Defectors have shared harrowing experiences and accounts of labor exploitation under the shock brigade system, with reports of severe physical strain faced by the workers. While North Korean officials weren't able to provide comments, evidence suggests that homes were demolished for resort expansion without due compensation for families.
With North Korea's tourism industry largely subdued in recent years, the introduction of the Wonsan Kalma resort is seen as a step towards economic resurgence and strengthening ties with Russia. Nonetheless, early indications suggest that the resort may struggle to attract significant foreign tourism, particularly given the competitive travel alternatives available in neighboring countries without repressive conditions. As of now, bookings from Russia for trips to Wonsan remain modest, but the government's potential encouragement of tourism may yield different outcomes in the coming months.
