N-Korea inaugurates ‘world-class’ coastal resort

(MENAFN) North Korea has inaugurated a large-scale coastal resort on its eastern shore, with leader Kim Jong-un praising it as a model for future tourist developments across the country. According to the state-run KCNA news agency, the newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area spans 4 kilometers and includes hundreds of buildings, such as hotels capable of accommodating up to 20,000 visitors.

KCNA described the complex as a “coastal resort town of our own style without an equal in the world,” offering facilities for swimming, sports, shopping, cultural events, and year-round recreation. During the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Kim cut the ribbon and toured the site, including its water park and hotels. He called the project a significant milestone in advancing the government’s cultural tourism agenda.

The event was attended by Russia’s ambassador and other embassy officials, referred to by KCNA as “special guests,” reflecting the increasingly close ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. Earlier this year, North Korean troops reportedly helped Russian forces push back a Ukrainian attack in the Kursk Region.

The resort is set to begin serving domestic tourists on July 1, with reports indicating a strong focus on attracting Russian visitors. Officials in Russia’s Far Eastern Primorsky Region confirmed that organized group tours to the resort will start in July. These trips will include beach holidays as well as visits to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.

Russian media say that eight-day vacation packages to the resort will cost about $1,800 per person. In 2024, more than 1,500 Russian tourists visited North Korea, where travelers must follow strict regulations, including guided tours, limited access to specific areas, and bans on photographing sensitive sites or bringing in certain reading materials.

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