North Korea Opens Wonsan Beach Resort Without Foreign Tourists

North Korea has officially opened the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a large and luxurious beach resort capable of hosting around 20,000 guests, featuring hotels, villas, water parks, and various entertainment amenities. The resort, located on the eastern seacoast, represents leader Kim Jong Un’s push to develop tourism as a key source of foreign currency amid ongoing international sanctions and economic challenges. Despite the grand opening and enthusiastic participation of local visitors, foreign tourists remain absent, largely due to geopolitical tensions and North Korea's continued military activities and isolation. Kim envisions the resort as part of a broader strategy to boost the economy, develop remote regions, and improve the country's international image. However, experts remain skeptical about the likelihood of the resort fully opening to Western or international tourists anytime soon, especially given the ongoing strict border controls and suspended Chinese group tours. The project underscores North Korea’s dual focus on economic development alongside maintaining its military ambitions.