North Korea Revokes Access for Foreign Tourists at Newly Opened Seaside Resort

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, launched with an intention to attract international visitors, will now only be accessible to locals. This ban comes in light of human rights concerns regarding labor practices during the resort's construction.

North Korea has taken the unexpected decision to prohibit foreigners from visiting its newly established seaside resort, the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, which opened on July 1. Initially promoted as a significant part of Kim Jong Un's strategy to enhance the tourism sector, the resort is now declared off-limits to international visitors, according to a notice on the country’s tourism website. This development follows the arrival of Russian tourists to the resort last week, coinciding with a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who praised the site as a promising tourist destination for Russia.

Plans for direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang are also in the works, further underlining the budding ties between the two nations. A Russian tour guide had previously shared intentions for additional trips to the resort, indicating a growing interest from Russian tourists. Situated along North Korea’s east coast, Wonsan is home to various military facilities and was also a childhood retreat for Kim Jong Un, surrounded by luxurious villas owned by the country’s elite.

The sprawling seaside resort features a 4km beachfront that includes hotels, restaurants, shops, and a water park, with a capacity to host approximately 20,000 patrons. However, the construction process that began in 2018 has drawn criticism from human rights organizations that have highlighted alleged labor violations, including excessive hours and poor working conditions for those involved in the project.

The completion ceremony of the resort, held on June 24, saw attendance from Russian diplomats and officials, further solidifying international attention on the venture. Following the cessation of tourism during the pandemic, North Korea briefly reopened its borders to Russian travelers last year and, for a time, to tourists from Western countries, including Australia, France, Germany, and the UK, before abruptly halting this access without further explanation.