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North Korea Opens Wonsan-Kalma Seaside Resort to Tourists
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After years of delays, North Korea’s Wonsan-Kalma seaside resort officially opened its doors on July 1, 2025, aiming to attract both domestic and, eventually, international tourists. The ambitious project, covering 605 acres along a 3.5-mile beach, features thousands of hotel rooms and various leisure facilities. The question remains: will this isolated nation succeed in drawing visitors to its new resort town?
Wonsan-Kalma Resort: A Long-Delayed Project
The Wonsan-Kalma resort, located roughly 100 miles from Pyongyang, is now accessible by a two-hour drive and boasts a nearby airport with a 10,000+ foot runway [1]. Originally slated to open in 2019 after construction began in 2018, the project faced setbacks and was abandoned at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.Construction resumed in 2023, with Kim Jong Un taking a keen interest in its completion.
did You Know? The nearby airport is a dual-use civil and military airport, previously used as a missile testing site.
Aims for “World-Class” Tourism
The resort now has a reported capacity for 20,000 visitors at a time. Kim Jong Un emphasized the need for high service standards and additional attractions, such as amusement parks and shopping malls, to make it a “world-class” destination. The North Korean leader has a personal connection to Wonsan, where he spent his childhood and where many of the country’s elite maintain private villas.
Who Will Visit?
North Korea,one of the world’s most isolated countries,has historically restricted tourism to carefully curated group tours.While tourism briefly reopened to Western tourists in February 2025, it was quickly shut down again.Initially, the Wonsan-Kalma resort will cater to domestic tourists. The long-term plan involves attracting visitors from “friendly” nations like Russia and China. Russian tourists were even given an exclusive preview of the resort in 2024.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on travel advisories and North Korean tourism policies for the latest updates if you are considering a visit.
Challenges and Uncertainties
It remains uncertain whether foreign tourists will be allowed to roam freely within the resort or if they will
