North Korea opened its sprawling Wonsan-Kalma beach resort to domestic tourists yesterday, launching what authorities call the country's largest tourism project as the isolated nation seeks to revive its economy while maintaining strict controls on foreign visitors.
The beachfront complex can accommodate nearly 20,000 guests along a 2.5-mile stretch of coastline, featuring hotels, restaurants, a water park and shopping centers, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. The opening marks the culmination of a tourism initiative that has faced repeated delays since construction began in 2018.
Leader Kim Jong Un attended a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on June 24 alongside his wife and daughter, calling the project "one of the greatest successes this year" and the "proud first step" toward developing the country's tourism industry1. State media reported the resort would begin serving domestic tourists on July 1, though Russian officials indicated the first Russian tour group would visit in July1.
The facility represents a test case for North Korea's broader tourism ambitions as the country maintains restrictions on most foreign visitors imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to CBS News, North Korea has not fully lifted its ban on foreign tourists that began in early 20201.
Tourism company Young Pioneer Tours, which specializes in North Korea travel, reported that while some limited tourism to the Rason region resumed in February 2025, Pyongyang remains largely closed to Western tourists2. The company noted that international access to Wonsan-Kalma remains uncertain.
The resort's opening comes as North Korea faces continued economic pressure from international sanctions and the lingering effects of pandemic border closures. Observers suggest the facility required substantial investment from the country's limited budget and will eventually need foreign tourists to become profitable1.
Construction of the Wonsan-Kalma project began in 2018 with an initial 2019 opening target. Work stalled during the pandemic as the country sealed its borders, with construction resuming in 202323. The project was first announced in 2014 as part of Kim Jong Un's efforts to transform his childhood hometown of Wonsan into a major tourist destination.
The resort sits approximately 100 miles from Pyongyang and includes an airport with a runway capable of handling commercial flights, though the facility has primarily served military purposes as a former missile testing site3.
