"One of the biggest successes of the year" according to Kim Jong Un: North Korea opens a resort for Russians

North Korea has officially completed the construction of the Wonsan-Kalma seaside resort on the country's east coast, a project that lasted six years. This is according to the South Korean newspaper The Korea Herald.

The resort is expected to primarily host tourists from Russia and will open on July 1.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he considers the resort "one of the biggest successes of this year" and called it a "proud first step" towards the government's policy of developing tourism, Sky News reports.

The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 guests (both domestic and foreign) and includes hotels, guesthouses and guest houses "for every taste".

Construction began in 2015, but was repeatedly delayed due to sanctions and the pandemic. In 2024, it was resumed with material support from Russia amid increased cooperation between the countries due to the full-scale war in Ukraine.

"Tourism itself is not a violation of sanctions. However, tourism operations that involve large money transfers or are carried out in the form of joint projects or joint ventures with North Korea may constitute a violation of sanctions," said an unnamed official.

South Korean officials note that North Korea views tourism as a source of foreign currency earnings.

However, the resort's real potential is limited by weak transport infrastructure. Experts estimate that a maximum of about 170 people per day can reach it using existing flights between Pyongyang and Vladivostok.

At the same time, North Korea has not yet completely lifted the ban on foreign tourists, which was introduced in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

• On March 6, 2025, a few weeks after the first visit of Western tourists in five years, North Korea banned entry again.