North Korea launches new coastal resort to boost tourism hopes

North Korea is set to unveil a new coastal tourist site on its east coast, signaling a significant effort to revive its struggling tourism industry. The Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone, which has been under development since 2018, is nearing completion and will welcome domestic tourists starting July 1, 2025. The site was inaugurated by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a ceremony attended by government officials and dignitaries, marking a notable step in the country’s strategic push to enhance its tourism sector after years of tight restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wonsan-Kalma zone is designed to accommodate nearly 20,000 guests, offering various facilities including hotels, restaurants, recreational areas, and opportunities for sporting activities along the picturesque coastline. Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of this development as part of the government’s broader strategy to cultivate the tourism culture in North Korea. With international tourism stymied due to ongoing bans and travel restrictions, the focus remains on drawing domestic visitors while the country seeks to gradually reopen its borders. Historically, the country’s tourism sector has been heavily impacted by international sanctions and the global pandemic, which caused a severe drop in visitor numbers. Before the pandemic, tourism was a vital source of revenue for North Korea, especially from Chinese tourists. However, since the pandemic began, the country has imposed strict travel curbs, making it difficult for international visitors to access the region. Even with recent developments, there are still uncertainties surrounding when North Korea will fully reopen for foreign tourism. Despite the challenges, Kim Jong Un's inauguration of the Wonsan-Kalma beach resort demonstrates a commitment to revitalizing the tourism industry as a way to stimulate the economy. This initiative aims not only to attract domestic tourists, who are expected to enjoy the amenities, but also seeks to showcase North Korea as a potential tourist destination for international visitors in the future. As the country slowly emerges from isolation, there are indications that it hopes to lure back foreign tourists as part of an economic recovery plan, thereby presenting a revised image of the nation that balances tourism development with ongoing political realities.