Discover North Korea’s Exclusive Luxury Beach Resort: Why Most Tourists Are Still Shut Out

SEOUL, South Korea — Back in 2018, President Trump met North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un. At that moment, he painted a bright picture of what North Korea could achieve. “They have great beaches,” Trump said, suggesting the country could build luxurious hotels instead of launching missiles into the sea.

Fast forward to now. North Korea has opened a new resort in Wonsan, following that vision. The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area spans a 2.5-mile stretch along the Kalma Peninsula. It features around 400 buildings, including hotels and villas that can host about 20,000 guests. The area also includes a water park, gym, and various shops.

Experts see this resort as a sign that North Korea seeks economic growth alongside its military goals. The opening comes at a time when the country faces intense isolation due to international sanctions. Despite the ongoing military threats, the regime is keen on developing tourism to boost its struggling economy.

However, Kim has yet to clarify who can visit this new destination. The resort welcomed domestic tourists recently, but many restrictions remain. For context, around 60% of North Koreans live in poverty, making it hard for the local population to spend on luxury travel.Studies estimate that economic hardships are a constant struggle for the majority.

International tourism has also seen a major decline. North Korea had recently opened its doors to a small group of Western tourists but shut down again just weeks later amid ongoing health crises and safety measures. The primary source of foreign tourists before the pandemic came from China, but their return is uncertain.

Interestingly, Russian visitors may become the first foreigners to frequent the new resort. Following quickly-developing ties between North Korea and Russia since a defense treaty was signed in 2024, the first group of Russian tourists is expected to arrive soon. However, only about 900 Russians visited North Korea for leisure last year. In contrast, hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists used to visit annually.

Researcher Lee Sangkeun notes potential travelers from Russia might hesitate to visit due to long travel times and the strict surveillance imposed on foreign visitors in North Korea. He highlights the country’s poor infrastructure and vulnerability to geopolitical tensions as additional factors that could deter tourism.

Despite the challenges, Kim Jong Un promotes the idea that North Korea’s unique resources and stable regime can attract tourists. He promised to build more tourist sites based on the experiences gained from the Kalma development. Whether this ambition will bear fruit remains to be seen, as both local economic struggles and international relations continue to impact the landscape.

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