North Korea halts foreign tourism at new beach resort
- North Korea's newly opened Wonsan-Kalma beach resort has been temporarily closed to foreign tourists.
- The ban followed initial visits by a small group of Russian tourists, including government officials which raised concerns.
- This decision jeopardizes the complex's financial viability as it relies on foreign tourism for revenue.
In recent weeks, North Korea announced a ban on foreign tourists at the newly opened Wonsan-Kalma beach resort, a facility that was touted as a major achievement by the country's leader, Kim Jong Un. This development follows the resort's domestic launch on July 1, 2025, and a brief visit by a group of Russian tourists, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had discussions with North Korean officials at the site. The Wonsan-Kalma complex was designed to accommodate up to 20,000 guests and features recreational amenities such as a water park, gym, and concert hall, and is part of North Korea's larger initiative to boost tourism amidst a challenging economic landscape exacerbated by ongoing international sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic.