The newly inaugurated Wonsan Kalma resort is filled with local tourists, but the intended foreign influx remains elusive as sanctions take a toll.
**North Korea Launches Grand Beach Resort Amidst Absence of Foreign Tourists**
**North Korea Launches Grand Beach Resort Amidst Absence of Foreign Tourists**
Despite lavish openings, Kim Jong-un's Wonsan Kalma resort struggles to attract international visitors due to ongoing restrictions.
North Korea has unveiled its latest tourist attraction—the Wonsan Kalma resort—which promises sandy beaches and luxury accommodations, yet it opened its doors primarily to domestic visitors. This grand reveal on July 1, 2025, saw local families flocking to the 2.5-mile shoreline while foreign tourists, especially from China, remained conspicuously absent due to travel restrictions.
According to state media, the official Korean Central News Agency, the atmosphere at the new resort was vibrant and full of excitement among local tourists. The website highlighted a cheerful scene with families enjoying their time in bright accommodations, celebrating this latest venture by their leader, Kim Jong-un. This resort is envisioned as a cornerstone in Kim's broader strategy to rejuvenate the tourism sector to foster economic resilience, particularly in the face of stringent international sanctions.
Originally, Kim Jong-un’s tourism initiative kicked off following United Nations sanctions imposed in 2017, which severely curtailed exports like coal and textiles. These sanctions aimed to cut off funding for nuclear and missile development; however, economic analysts believe that tourism remains a potential lifeline for foreign currency earnings. The Wonsan Kalma resort, boasting the capacity for 20,000 visitors, stands out as the most ambitious of a series of developments that include luxury hotels and recreational facilities previously repurposed from military sites.
While North Korea continues to rebuild its tourism narrative, local media have likened Kalma Beach to “North Korea’s Waikiki,” a contrast to its past as a military training zone. However, with significant hurdles such as travel bans—especially affecting tourists from China, a primary source of visitors—Kim’s hopes for a thriving foreign tourism industry face considerable challenges amidst diplomatic and economic isolation. As the world watches, the viability of North Korea's resort aspirations remains uncertain without a shift in the current geopolitical climate.
According to state media, the official Korean Central News Agency, the atmosphere at the new resort was vibrant and full of excitement among local tourists. The website highlighted a cheerful scene with families enjoying their time in bright accommodations, celebrating this latest venture by their leader, Kim Jong-un. This resort is envisioned as a cornerstone in Kim's broader strategy to rejuvenate the tourism sector to foster economic resilience, particularly in the face of stringent international sanctions.
Originally, Kim Jong-un’s tourism initiative kicked off following United Nations sanctions imposed in 2017, which severely curtailed exports like coal and textiles. These sanctions aimed to cut off funding for nuclear and missile development; however, economic analysts believe that tourism remains a potential lifeline for foreign currency earnings. The Wonsan Kalma resort, boasting the capacity for 20,000 visitors, stands out as the most ambitious of a series of developments that include luxury hotels and recreational facilities previously repurposed from military sites.
While North Korea continues to rebuild its tourism narrative, local media have likened Kalma Beach to “North Korea’s Waikiki,” a contrast to its past as a military training zone. However, with significant hurdles such as travel bans—especially affecting tourists from China, a primary source of visitors—Kim’s hopes for a thriving foreign tourism industry face considerable challenges amidst diplomatic and economic isolation. As the world watches, the viability of North Korea's resort aspirations remains uncertain without a shift in the current geopolitical climate.
