kcnaState media reported that North Korea is opening a beach resort, and its leader Kim Jong-un hopes to promote tourism in a secret communist regime.
Wonsan Kalma on the East Coast will be open to domestic tourists on July 1. It is not clear when foreigners will be welcomed.
Kim grew up in the luxury of Wonsan, where many elites in the country have private villas and have been trying to change the town, which once hosted a missile test site.
State media KCNA claims the resort can accommodate up to 20,000 tourists, occupying 4 km (2.5 miles) of beaches, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and a water park that cannot be verified.
North Korea is one of the poorest countries in the world, and has been scanning for decades for decades. It poured most of its resources into its military, monuments and landmarks (usually in Pyongyang) and embellished the image and worship of the Kim family, which has been operating in the country since 1948.
Some observers say this is an easy way to make money in Pyongyang. Although foreign tourists are allowed, tourist groups often come from China and Russia, and Pyongyang has long maintained friendly relations.
“I hope this may mean a wider reopening of international tourism, but it doesn’t seem to be the case now,” Rowan Beard, co-founder of Young Pioneer Travel, told the BBC.
Tourism from overseas has taken a hit during a common pandemic, though, with the country closing its borders in early 2020. It did not reduce restrictions until mid-2023 and welcome Russian tourists a year later.
It opened to more Western tourists in February, when tourists from the UK, France, Germany and Australia drove across the border from China. it Stop suddenly Tourism Industry a few weeks later Don’t say why.
kcnaSome travel agencies are skeptical of Wonsan’s appeal to foreigners. “For most Western tourists, it’s unlikely to be an attractive appeal for most people,” Beard said.
“Key sites such as Pyongyang, DMZ and other barbaric or communist landmarks will continue to be the main highlights for international tourists who once recovered from the wider tourism industry.”
But, Elliott Davies, director of URI Tours, said North Korea holds a “niche appeal” to attracting travelers who are unconventional destinations.
“It’s fun to experience something as familiar as a beach resort in North Korea’s unique cultural context.”
KCNA describes Wonsan’s development as a “great, auspicious event for the entire country” and calls it a “prelude to a new era” in tourism.
It was originally scheduled to open in October 2019, but it encountered construction delays before the pandemic.
King, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his wife Ri sol ju, attended a ceremony to celebrate his completion. It marks the first public appearance of RI since its New Year’s Day event.
Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora and embassy staff also attended the meeting.
Some tourism operators expect the resort to be open to Russian tourists, who are currently the only foreign nationals entering certain parts of the country.
The resort is open North Korea and Russia strengthen their partnership Facing Western sanctions.
North Korea has Sent troops to fight for Russia during the invasion of Ukraine.
On Thursday, the two countries also reopened a direct bus route due to the pandemic.
