North Korea Unveils New Resort Amid Hopes for Tourist Influx

Despite grand aspirations for attracting foreign tourists and generating vital revenue, North Korea's new Wonsan Kalma resort welcomes only domestic visitors as the country contends with ongoing restrictions and sanctions.

In a bold attempt to transform its tourism landscape, North Korea has launched the Wonsan Kalma resort, a lavish seaside destination on the central east coast, intending to draw foreign income to counteract international sanctions. Official reports indicate that local families flooded the newly opened 2.5-mile sandy beach on its debut day, with state media extolling the happiness of the visitors.

This project, which can accommodate up to 20,000 guests, is among several Kim Jong-un has developed to rejuvenate the country's economy, relying on tourism as a potential financial lifeline following severe United Nations sanctions imposed in 2017. These sanctions targeted key exports, depriving the nation of critical foreign currency resources, yet left the tourism sector comparatively untouched.

The transformation of Kalma Beach has been particularly striking; once a military training site littered with artillery, it now features impressive hotels and water parks, earning the playful moniker “North Korea’s Waikiki” among media commentators. The resort's opening ceremony in late June was attended by Kim and his family, highlighting its significance in his broader economic plans.

However, while hopes for international tourism are high, the anticipated influx of foreign visitors has not materialized. Specifically, Chinese tourists, a likely key demographic, remain barred from traveling to North Korea. As the resort opens its doors without international patrons, the challenge of engaging the global tourism market continues to loom large for the North Korean leadership.