ALBAWABA - North Korean President Kim Jong Un has attended the opening of a new resort that was referred to as a "national treasure-level tourism city". However, who will be able to visit it and can tourists now visit North Korea?
A lavish seaside resort was launched in North Korea and will open its doors to the public on July 1st.
According to the official KCNA news service, the president opened the sprawling Kalma beachside resort with waterparks, high-rise hotels, and accommodation that can host about 20,000 visitors at once.
The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, which was opened in a huge ceremony on June 24, is located on North Korea’s eastern coast. Local media said "service for domestic guests will begin July 1," however, no other details on eligibility or transportation were shared.
The Kalma beach resort is located near an international airport, which could be a hint that it aims to attract not only locals but also foreign currency, CNN mentioned.
Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, international tourism in the country has largely been limited to Russian visitors, while strict limitations on domestic travel remain in place. This latest development once again brings to the forefront long-standing concerns around who has access, who the intended audience is, and whether such efforts make economic sense.
"Wonsan-Kalma is open to just North Koreans for now, but we should not be surprised to see Russians at the resort in the not-too-distant future," Rachel Minyoung Lee, a non-resident fellow with the 38 North program at the Stimson Center, said.
