Officially opened, the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a sprawling beachside resort located on North Korea’s eastern coast, features waterparks and high-rise hotels capable of hosting nearly 20,000 guests. The development has been positioned as a symbol of progress and part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s broader push to revitalize the economy through tourism. The resort is adjacent to both an international airport and a newly built train station, signaling hopes to attract foreign visitors—though so far, only Russian tour groups have been granted access.
The opening ceremony, held June 24, was attended by Kim Jong Un, his wife, and daughter, underscoring the regime’s personal investment in the project. The site, over a decade in the making, has been delayed repeatedly due to sanctions and the pandemic. While North Korea promotes the resort as a people-first initiative, experts suggest it primarily serves the elite in Pyongyang and reinforces state propaganda. Analysts remain skeptical of its viability, citing ongoing sanctions, limited tourism infrastructure, and tight state control.
The North Korean government sees the project as a legacy-defining achievement and a counterweight to its militaristic image. However, whether Wonsan-Kalma can deliver economic benefits in the long term—beyond showcasing opulence to a carefully curated audience—remains to be seen.
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