North Korea Renovates Yongbyon Reactor While Elite Use Wonsan Resort

North Korea has developed a Benidorm-style beach resort in Wonsan, modeled after Spain's Costa Blanca, aiming to attract tourists but primarily catering to the North Korean elite due to high costs and restricted access for foreigners, especially westerners. The resort experience is highly controlled, with guests expected to perform scripted activities for cameras, creating an artificial atmosphere described as a "film set." Meanwhile, satellite images reveal that North Korea is refurbishing the 5 MWe Reactor at its Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, with renovations underway while the reactor continues operations, indicating ongoing nuclear activity. Diplomatic correspondence from Kim Jong-un to Russian President Vladimir Putin reflects a growing alignment between North Korea and Russia, particularly since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with letters emphasizing shared resistance against Western policies and bolstering domestic narratives of solidarity. These developments underscore North Korea's continued focus on strategic partnerships and nuclear capabilities despite economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens.