Kim Jong-Un Launches North Korea’s Wonsan Kalma Resort with 54 Hotels, Waterparks, and Pubs; Explore Its Features
North Korea’s Wonsan Kalma coastal resort, a sprawling tourism project, officially opened after nearly seven years of development, state media announced Thursday. The resort, boasting 54 hotels, waterparks, and entertainment venues, marks a significant milestone for the reclusive nation. Kim Jong-Un, typically associated with military displays, personally championed the project, attending the opening with his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae.
Kim, trading his usual Mao-style outfit for a dark suit and tie, hailed the resort as one of North Korea’s “greatest achievements” of the year during the celebratory event, according to state media.
Inside the Wonsan Kalma Resort
Located along a three-mile stretch of the Kalma Peninsula’s coastline, the resort offers an array of amenities, including 54 hotels, an indoor and outdoor waterpark, a mini-golf course, a cinema, multiple shopping malls, numerous restaurants, five beer pubs, and two video game arcades, as detailed in a guide map at the resort’s northern entrance.
Construction kicked off in 2018 but faced delays due to logistical challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. The resort is set to welcome domestic tourists starting July 1, while foreign visitors remain restricted under ongoing COVID-era travel bans. However, Russian travel agency Vostok Intur has planned a week-long tour beginning July 7, per the resort’s website. The package includes a flight from Pyongyang to Wonsan, a four-night stay at the beach resort, a night at the nearby Masikryong ski resort, and a day of sightseeing in the capital.
Tourism in North Korea
Tourism remains a rare source of revenue for North Korea, largely unaffected by United Nations sanctions tied to its weapons programs. The Wonsan project, however, proceeded without a major foreign partner due to these restrictions. Since closing its borders in 2020 amid the pandemic, North Korea has slowly relaxed some measures since 2023, allowing limited Russian tour groups to visit. Most areas, including the capital, remain closed to general tourism, though the country hosted an international marathon in April that welcomed foreign participants.