North Korea is launching a new beach resort on July 1 in Wonsan, the coastal city where Kim Jong Un spent part of his childhood, as the regime looks to boost domestic tourism and reshape its image. Named the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, the resort was first slated to open in 2019 but faced long construction delays and pandemic-related setbacks.

The newly unveiled resort reportedly includes hotels, restaurants, a waterpark, shopping malls, and can accommodate up to 20,000 visitors, according to North Korean state media KCNA. However, these claims remain unverified due to the country’s tightly controlled information landscape.

Kim Jong Un, along with his daughter Kim Ju Ae and wife Ri Sol Ju, attended a ceremony to mark the completion of the project on June 24. The event also saw the participation of Russian ambassador Alexander Matsegora and embassy officials, reflecting deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.

Limited to Domestic and Russian Visitors for Now

Despite speculation, the resort currently remains closed to most foreign tourists. Though North Korea reopened briefly to Western visitors in early 2024, access was swiftly revoked without explanation. Presently, Russian tourists are the only foreign nationals widely allowed in.

Tourism operators suggest that Wonsan’s appeal to Western travelers may be limited. “For now, Pyongyang, the DMZ, and historical communist landmarks remain the main draws,” said Rowan Beard, co-founder of Young Pioneer Tours.

A Strategic Soft Power Move

Experts view the resort not only as a revenue source but as a calculated image-building effort by the regime. North Korea, heavily sanctioned due to its nuclear weapons program, continues to divert resources into tourism-friendly infrastructure, monumental architecture, and military symbolism that reinforce the Kim family cult.

While some observers remain skeptical of international appeal, others like Uri Tours’ Elliott Davies say the destination holds “niche value” for travelers seeking unconventional, politically unique experiences.

Wonsan’s debut also coincides with the reopening of the direct train route between Pyongyang and Moscow—another signal of North Korea’s growing alignment with Russia amid global isolation.