North Korea blocks foreigners from its latest beachfront paradise
North Korea Shuts New Beach Resort to Foreign Tourists After Russian Diplomat Visit
Wonsan Kalma Coastal Zone Gathers Seaside Hotels but Excludes Overseas Guests
North Korea’s newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone has temporarily barred foreign visitors, a move announced by the country’s tourism administration.
Construction Spearheaded by Kim Jong Un
- Completed in early this month under state-run media’s fanfare.
- Claimed to accommodate 20,000 residents with high-rise hotels and water parks.
- Dubbed “North Korea’s Waikiki” by local media.
Russian Diplomat Visit Sparks Temporary Ban
After Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited the resort, the National Tourism Administration issued a statement: “foreign tourists are temporarily not being accepted.”
Background: Tourism Initiatives Under Kim Jong Un
Kim has emphasized tourism growth since his early years in power. He described the resort project as “one of the greatest successes this year.”
Previous Return of Russian and Western Tourists
- Russia allowed tourists to return after the pandemic.
- Western tour operators briefly visited in February.
Seoul’s Expectations for International Visits
South Korea’s unification ministry noted that international tourism to the new resort is likely to remain small due to limited flight capacity.
Lavrov Commends the Seaside Project
Lavrov hailed the resort as a “good tourist attraction” expected to attract local and Russian visitors seeking new destinations.
Upcoming Flights Between Moscow and Pyongyang
Russia announced twice-a-week flights linking Moscow and Pyongyang ahead of Lavrov’s visit.
