In brief
While promoting itself as a major tourist destination, the resort now limits entry, sparking questions about its future.
North Korea's freshly minted seaside attraction, the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, has taken a surprising turn by prohibiting foreign tourists just weeks after its grand opening on July 1. This ambitious project, led by Kim Jong Un as a means to boost tourism, had initially been marketed as a hot spot for both locals and international visitors.Recent updates on North Korea's tourism website have indicated that foreigners are now "temporarily" barred from visiting. Notably, the restriction came shortly after the first group of Russian tourists had been welcomed to the seaside venue. This coincided with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's meeting with Kim Jong Un, where he praised the resort as a promising tourist destination and expressed hopes for increased popularity among Russians.Wonsan, situated on the eastern coast, features a range of amenities along a 4km (2.5 miles) beachfront, including hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and even a water park. It can accommodate around 20,000 visitors. However, this development has not been without its controversies. Human rights organizations have raised alarms regarding the treatment of workers involved in the construction, citing reports of excessive hours and poor working conditions.Although North Korea briefly reopened its doors to Russian tourists last year after a pandemic hiatus, and even welcomed some tourists from Western countries this February, the sudden halt on foreign entries raises concerns about the resort's viability and North Korea's broader tourism strategy. As the situation unfolds, many are left wondering what the future holds for this seaside getaway.
