North Korea is making moves to boost its tourism industry by launching what it claims is a luxurious beachfront getaway. According to state-run reports, the highly anticipated Wonsan Kalma beach resort is finally set to open its doors to domestic tourists on July 1 — but the world is watching closely to see if foreign visitors will ever be allowed in.
The resort, situated in Wonsan, a coastal town with deep ties to leader Kim Jong-un, is part of a larger effort to enhance the country’s image and attract revenue from tourism. Kim reportedly spent part of his childhood in Wonsan and has been determined to transform the area into a tourist destination, despite its past as a site for missile testing.
A Closer Look at North Korea’s Bold Tourism Bet
While details remain scarce — and heavily filtered through North Korean media — what we do know paints a pretty ambitious picture. The Wonsan Kalma resort is rumored to accommodate up to 20,000 visitors, offering a 2.5-mile stretch of beach, luxury villas, multiple hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and even a water park.
The resort was initially set to debut in October 2019 but was hit with construction delays, pushing the opening back. Then came the pandemic, which completely halted international travel.
Despite the setbacks, Kim’s government appears ready to try again, at least for domestic tourists for now.
But Will Foreign Tourists Ever Be Allowed?
North Korea remains one of the world’s most isolated nations, and travel there is highly restricted. However, insiders suggest that Russian tourists may be the first foreign nationals granted access to Wonsan Kalma, as they are among the few visitors allowed into select parts of the country due to friendly relations between the two nations.
Tourism officials note that Russian state tour companies have long offered tightly controlled trips into North Korea. If the resort’s launch goes smoothly, they may be tapped to help bring in outsiders.
Still, there’s no confirmed timeline for when — or if — visitors from other countries will be allowed to enjoy the beachfront views.