North Korea’s New Seaside Resort Shocks: Foreigners Banned Just Weeks After Grand Opening!

North Korea recently opened the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone but won’t be allowing foreign tourists—at least for now. This new resort, which launched on July 1, was meant to attract both locals and visitors from abroad. However, an announcement reveals that foreign access is currently “temporarily” restricted.

Interestingly, some Russian tourists did arrive at the resort just last week. Their visit coincided with a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Lavrov praised the resort as a promising tourist destination and expressed hope that it would draw interest from Russian travelers. In fact, direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang are expected to start soon.

The Wonsan resort stretches along 4 kilometers of scenic beachfront and is equipped with hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and even a water park. This site can accommodate around 20,000 guests, according to state media. Despite its shiny new facade, the resort’s construction has faced criticism. Reports from human rights organizations allege that workers endured long hours and harsh conditions for inadequate pay while building the resort since 2018.

Historically, Wonsan has significant ties to North Korea’s elite, as Kim spent much of his childhood there. It’s also home to various missile facilities. This combination of luxury and military significance adds layers to the resort’s development.

In a shift from isolation, North Korea allowed Russian tourists entry last year after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. They briefly reopened to tourists from countries like Australia and the UK in February, but that ended soon after without clear reasons.

As for reactions, social media users have expressed mixed feelings. While some are intrigued by the lavish offerings of the new resort, others are critical of the opacity surrounding labor conditions and the sudden tourism restrictions.

In conclusion, while Wonsan’s new resort aims to enhance North Korea’s appeal as a tourist destination, the story reflects broader issues of human rights and international relations. For a deeper understanding, you can read a report on the implications of tourism in authoritarian regimes here.

Source link