North Korea to open beach resort as Kim Jong-un turns to tourism
North Korea opens Wonsan-Kalma resort to boost tourism, aiming to attract future foreign visitors despite tight travel controls.
North Korea is set to unveil its new Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a large-scale beach resort stretching along a 4‐kilometre section of its east coast.
This project marks a pivotal effort to boost the country’s tourism sector, both for domestic visitors and, eventually, international guests.
Resort Features and Infrastructure
The resort, located in Wonsan-Kalma, will be capable of accommodating about 20,000 guests annually and includes a range of modern amenities.
Facilities at the complex encompass hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, sports and recreation areas, water slides, and a water park. Construction was announced in 2013 and began in 2018 but faced challenges, including delays due to building complexities and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opening Ceremony and Official Remarks
At the grand opening ceremony, Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and daughter Kim Ju-ae, celebrated the resort as a landmark achievement in North Korea’s efforts to reinvigorate its tourism offerings.
The event was presented in state media as lavish and “splendorous.” During the proceedings, Kim stated that the project is one of the greatest successes this year, describing it as a proud first step towards enhancing the nation's economic prospects through tourism.
“The completion of Wonsan-Kalma would be one of the greatest successes this year. It is the proud first step towards boosting the country’s tourism industry.”
Visitor Access and Future Prospects for Digital Nomads
Initially, the resort will be available exclusively to domestic tourists, with the first local visitors expected to arrive shortly after the opening ceremony.
There is no confirmed date for when international tourists will be granted access; however, analysts suggest that Russians may be among the first due to the close diplomatic relations between the two nations, followed by Chinese tourists.
It’s a striking pivot for the isolated country, but for now, it's more of a geopolitical statement than an option for digital nomads.
Tourism Under Sanctions: A Controlled Experience
With most revenue-generating avenues blocked by international sanctions, tourism remains one of the few legal options for North Korea to generate foreign currency.
The state continues to exercise strict control over the tourism sector, offering a carefully curated experience that blends modern leisure facilities with political symbolism. The resort’s development also underscores Kim Jong-un’s broader strategy of leveraging tourism to improve North Korea’s global image, even as domestic hardships persist.
What the Wonsan-Kalma Resort Means for North Korea’s Tourism Future
The opening of the Wonsan-Kalma beach resort not only provides new leisure opportunities for domestic visitors but also signals Kim Jong-un’s ambitious bid to reshape the nation’s economic landscape by tapping into tourism.
While the project is celebrated as a milestone achievement domestically, its broader implications continue to unfold amidst ongoing international sanctions and carefully managed tourist experiences.
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Digital nomad and co-founder of Freaking Nomads. After leaving a corporate job in London, I co-created Freaking Nomads to inspire others to embrace remote work and find happiness wherever they go.
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