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Wonsan is a place of sentimental importance to Kim, who spent much of his childhood there and has tried to modernize the area. In the past, it was used to test missiles, but it is now being marketed as a brand-new tourist site. The resort, which is located on a four-kilometre beach, can accommodate as many as 20,000 people and includes hotels, malls, and nearly a dozen restaurants as well as a water park, reports state media. However, the information cannot be verified independently because of the country's limited access.
Domestic Tourism at a Premium, Foreign Horizons Hazy
North Korea has remained among the world's most isolated states, under punitive sanctions for its nuclear arms programme. The country has poured much of its scant resources into military infrastructure and monuments that pay tribute to the ruling Kim family. Nevertheless, there seems to be a push to bring in tourism, particularly after the country's international borders were all but shut during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overseas tourism was briefly reinstated in 2023 and early 2024, with limited numbers of visitors from Russia, the UK, France and Australia granted access. Though that was short-lived, the country suspended tourism once more without explanation. While some tour companies question whether Wonsan would be a draw for Western tourists, others think North Korea can provide a unique and niche travel experience.
Political Backdrop and Future Prospects
Kim Jong Un, his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his wife Ri Sol Ju attended the resort's opening on 24 June in a ceremony, and it was the first time his wife had appeared in public since January. The Russian ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, and embassy staff were also in attendance, highlighting the blossoming relationship between North Korea and Russia.
A direct train between Pyongyang and Moscow reopened this week for the first time in five years, as the two countries build ties. Tour operators predict that Russian tourists, already allowed into select parts of North Korea, may soon be granted entry to the Wonsan resort.
Faced with economic woes and ongoing sanctions, the resort is representative of how, despite the broader opening to international tourism still being uncertain, Kim Jong Un is trying to remake North Korea's global image and generate much-needed overseas funds.
