North Korea tries to boost tourism with a huge beach resort
No longer the hermit kingdom?
Are you looking for a new and exotic location to enjoy your summer vacations? Well, your next destination could be North Korea!
A little R&R in North Korea
CNN reports that North Korean state media has announced the opening of a beach resort capable of accommodating up to 20,000 visitors with hotels, restaurants, water parks, and shopping malls.
Welcome to Wonsan-Kalma
The seaside development, reportedly named the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, will be located in the southeastern province of Kangwon, in front of the Sea of Japan.
The Kim dynasty
British newspaper The Guardian writes that the project has been labeled by North Korean state media as one of Pyongyang’s “greatest feats”, with Kim Jong-un attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony with his daughter and heir apparent, Kim Ju-ae.
Bringing tourism into North Korea
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Kim was quoted by The Guardian saying that the Wonsan-Kalma resort would “play a leading role in establishing tourism culture” in North Korea.
Pyongyang needs money
CNN describes the beach resort as a sweeping display of extravagance in one of the world’s most reclusive nations, hinting that it might be part of a bigger scheme to attract foreign money into Pyongyang.
Attracting foreign tourists (and currencies)
According to the BBC, while foreign tourists are allowed to a limited capacity in North Korea, large groups tend to come from Russia, China, and other countries that maintain friendly ties with Pyongyang.
The Pyongyang-Moscow partnership
The BBC highlights that the beach resort is expected to be open to Russian visitors, as Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened their alliance in the face of Western sanctions.
Diplomatic visit
According to the BBC, Russian ambassador Alexander Matsegora and other diplomatic staff from Moscow attended the opening of the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone.
Just in time
This is just a few days since a direct train service connecting Moscow to Pyongyang resumed operations, after being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
