North Korea Closes Beach Resort to Foreign Tourists
North Korea has recently restricted access to its newly opened beach resort on the east coast, a move that has surprised many. The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area was once promoted as a top-tier destination for tourists and cultural experiences. However, just weeks after this announcement, foreign visitors were suddenly barred from entering the area, with no clear explanation provided.
This decision came shortly after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledged support for increasing tourism in North Korea. Despite these efforts, authorities made an abrupt change, halting all foreign access to the resort. According to Bloomberg, there was no official reason given for this sudden shift.
North Korea’s official tourism website, DPR Korea Tour, stated on Wednesday that foreign visitors are “temporarily not accepted” in the zone. This information was reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily.
The Wonsan-Kalma resort, often referred to as a “Benidorm-style” development, took years to complete. It finally opened on June 24, which was later than its original planned date of April 15, 2019, coinciding with the birthday of North Korea’s founder, Kim Il Sung.
The project, located on a long stretch of white sand beach in Kangwon province, faced delays due to international sanctions and the impact of the global pandemic. Despite these challenges, the resort has attracted visitors from across the country, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
State media praised the resort as a “national treasure-level tourism city,” highlighting it as a luxurious seaside development. This contrasts sharply with reports of widespread hunger and hardship in other parts of North Korea, as noted by human rights observers.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrated the completion of the resort, calling it one of the regime’s greatest achievements of the year. He even hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the resort on July 12, marking him as the first foreign guest since the opening.
Russian officials have also expressed admiration for the resort. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, praised the Wonsan-Kalma resort during a Sputnik Radio interview, calling it a “fantastic holiday destination” with “perfectly equipped facilities.”
The resort spans 4 kilometers of coastline and can accommodate up to 20,000 visitors. It is equipped with amenities designed to compete with global beach destinations. This goal was emphasized in 2017 when Kim sent a delegation to Spain’s Benidorm resort to study its theme parks, high-rise hotels, and marina facilities.
A North Korean tourism brochure mentioned by the BBC lists 43 hotels along the beachfront, as well as guesthouses on a man-made lake and campgrounds catering to different types of travelers.
When the resort opened, Kim was seen relaxing poolside with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, enjoying a pack of cigarettes, a cold drink, and a towel. This image highlights the contrast between the resort’s luxury and the struggles faced by many North Koreans.
Tourism is a vital source of income for the sanctions-hit regime. However, since easing its pandemic border controls, North Korea has only allowed a limited number of Russian visitors. This selective approach underscores the delicate balance the regime must maintain in its international relations.
