Tourist Visit Increase: Kim Jong-Un Opens Luxury Resort In North Korea

North Korea is set to inaugurate the luxurious Wonsan Kalma resort on the eastern coast of the country starting July 1, 2025. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un anticipates that the opening of this resort will bolster the tourism sector in North Korea. According to a report from the BBC, the resort's opening on July 1, 2025, is currently intended for domestic tourists only. At this time, it remains unclear when the resort will be accessible to foreign visitors. It is noteworthy that Wonsan Kalma is a luxury resort, serving as the location for private villas of the country's elite, including Kim Jong Un himself. Previously, this area was used for missile testing, but efforts are now being made to transform it into a tourist attraction. The resort is known to accommodate up to 20,000 visitors and spans a four-kilometer stretch of beach, featuring a range of hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and a water park.

As is well known, North Korea is one of the poorest countries in the world. The nation allocates a significant portion of its resources to the military, monuments, and historical buildings.

The opening of this luxury resort for tourism has led some observers to conclude that this move is the easiest way to generate revenue. Although a few foreign tourists are permitted to enter this area, the majority of these tourists come from countries that have long-standing friendly relations with Pyongyang. These countries include China and Russia. "I hope this can signal a broader reopening of international tourism, but unfortunately, that does not seem to be happening at this time," said Rowan Beard, one of the founders of Young Pioneer Tours, as quoted by the BBC.

Previously, it was known that North Korea had opened its doors to tourism through the China border in February 2025. However, this policy was abruptly halted a few weeks later without a clear explanation. Reflecting on this situation, some travel agents are skeptical about the appeal of the Wonsan Kalma resort for foreign tourists. "Wonsan is unlikely to be a major attraction for most Western tourists," Beard stated.

Indeed, he continued, several locations in North Korea that attract international tourists include Pyongyang, the DMZ, and other brutalist or communist historical sites. In contrast, according to Elliott Davies, the Director of Uri Tours, North Korea possesses a unique appeal for travelers interested in unconventional destinations.

"It is quite fascinating to experience something familiar, such as a beach resort, within the unique cultural context of North Korea," stated Elliott. The Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, has characterized the development of Wonsan as a significant and monumental undertaking for the entire nation. This resort is regarded as the beginning of a new era in North Korean tourism. Initially, the resort was scheduled to open in October 2019, but construction delays occurred prior to the pandemic. Finally, on June 24, 2025, the resort was completed. Several tour operators anticipate that the resort will be accessible to Russian tourists, who are currently the only foreign nationals permitted to enter certain areas of the country.

Tag: Luxury Resort North Korea