North Korea has officially opened the Wonsan Kalma coastal resort zone, a major tourism project which took nearly seven years for its construction, according to state media reports on Thursday. Spanning across three miles (5 km) of coastline on the Kalma Peninsula, the resort boasts 54 hotels, waterparks, restaurants, pubs, and entertainment facilities.
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un attended the grand opening of the resort along with his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae. Departing from his typical Mao-style attire, Kim donned a dark suit and tie as he hailed the resort as one of North Korea鈥檚 鈥済reatest feats鈥 of the year.
What Are Wonsan Kalma Coastal Resort Zone鈥檚 Features?
The sprawling complex includes indoor and outdoor waterparks, mini-golf course, a movie theater, multiple shopping centers, five beer pubs, dozens of restaurants and two video game arcades. The construction of the tourist zone began in early 2018 but was delayed by logistical setbacks and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resort will start catering to domestic tourists from July 1. Though foreign tourists remain largely restricted, Russian travel agency Vostok Intur has arranged a week-long tour starting July 7. The itinerary includes a flight from Pyongyang to Wonsan on July 8, a four-night beach stay, one night at the nearby Masikryong ski resort, and a final day in the capital.
North Korea Tourism
Tourism remains one of North Korea鈥檚 few legal revenue sources unaffected by UN sanctions. However, the Wonsan project reportedly lacked any major foreign investment, partly due to ongoing sanctions over the country鈥檚 weapons programs.
While North Korea closed its borders in early 2020 due to the pandemic, it began easing restrictions in 2023. Russian tourist groups have been allowed entry, although most areas, including Pyongyang, remain off-limits to general travellers. In April, the country hosted a marathon event that included international participants, signaling a cautious return to global tourism.