In a dramatic shift from missiles to mini-golf, Kim Jong Un Launches Luxury Beach Resort as North Korea Bets on Tourism. North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un unveiled one of the regime’s most ambitious peacetime projects the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Resort.
Boasting 54 hotels, a waterpark, beer pubs, and a movie theater, this newly inaugurated luxury beach destination spans a 4km stretch of the Kalma Peninsula and is now open to domestic tourists, with limited foreign tours starting in early July.
Dubbed as one of the country’s “greatest feats” of the year by state media, the project is a bold bet by Kim to position tourism as a new pillar of North Korea’s economy amid crippling international sanctions.
Kim Jong Un Launches Luxury Beach Resort as North Korea Bets on Tourism
A Grand Opening with Family in Tow
Breaking from his usual stern military image, Kim Jong Un was seen promoting the lavish resort alongside his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and their daughter, Kim Ju-ae, on June 24.
Ri’s appearance was notable her first public outing in 17 months and she arrived accessorized with what appeared to be a Gucci handbag, despite North Korea’s ban on luxury imports under United Nations sanctions.
Kim, dressed in a Western-style dark suit and tie, stood proudly at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, declaring the resort a symbol of national pride.
“The Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area should play a leading role in establishing North Korea’s tourism culture,” Kim was quoted by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The presence of the ruling family including Kim’s daughter, who has made multiple public appearances in recent years was interpreted by analysts as a carefully choreographed image of dynastic unity and domestic stability.
What the Wonsan Kalma Resort Offers
The coastal resort stretches across three miles of prime beachfront property. According to a guide map at the resort’s northern gate, amenities include:
- 54 hotels and hostels accommodating nearly 20,000 visitors
- A large indoor and outdoor waterpark
- A mini-golf course and movie theater
- Several shopping malls and dozens of restaurants
- Five beer pubs and two video game arcades
The project’s construction began in 2016 with an initial goal to open in 2019. However, a mix of international sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its completion. The regime is now pushing to market Wonsan Kalma as a cornerstone of its growing tourism sector.
Tourism as Economic Lifeline
With most of North Korea’s traditional revenue streams choked by international sanctions due to its nuclear weapons program, tourism remains one of the few viable economic options.
Pyongyang hopes to attract foreign revenue while boosting domestic morale with mega-projects like Wonsan Kalma.
The country fully closed its borders in early 2020 due to the pandemic but began cautiously reopening in 2023.
In April 2024, North Korea hosted an international marathon, hinting at a gradual shift toward welcoming foreign guests though only Russian tour groups have been consistently allowed in so far.
Beginning July 1, Wonsan Kalma will open to domestic tourists. A Russian travel agency, Vostok Intur, has organized a tour for foreign visitors starting July 7, which 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 sightseeing tour in the capital.
Ri Sol-ju’s Reappearance and the ‘Socialist Family’ Image
The event also marked the public return of Kim’s wife, Ri Sol-ju, who had been absent from the spotlight since New Year’s Day 2024.
Her presence, along with daughter Ju-ae, was interpreted as a strategic move to reinforce an image of dynastic continuity and national stability.
“This is a choreographed move designed to project an image of an ideal socialist family embodied by the Kims,” said Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Ri’s fashion choices, including the suspected Gucci handbag, drew attention for their opulence, contrasting with the widespread poverty in the country.
Similar sightings have occurred in recent years, including Kim’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, carrying what appeared to be a Christian Dior handbag, and Ju-ae wearing a Dior coat during a missile test event in 2023.
Infrastructure and Feasibility: Doubts Remain
Despite the luxury offerings and promotional fanfare, questions linger about the project’s long-term viability. North Korea’s transportation infrastructure is underdeveloped, and international air traffic is minimal.
Yonhap News Agency estimates that, based on current flight schedules, the resort can host no more than 170 foreign visitors per day.
A South Korean Unification Ministry official also cast doubt on whether Wonsan Kalma could become a major hub for international tourism. “Foreign visitors are likely to arrive only in small groups by air,” the official noted.
A Political and Personal Project for Kim Jong Un
Wonsan holds personal significance for Kim Jong Un. He is believed to have spent much of his childhood in the area, and the city houses several private villas for North Korea’s elite.
Turning it into a luxury resort reflects both strategic and sentimental motivations.
State media described the opening as a “prelude to a new era in tourism” and hinted that similar projects are planned for other regions.
North Korea’s Other Tourist Zones: A Growing Ambition?
Kim’s push to expand the tourism sector includes more than just Wonsan Kalma. Pyongyang has made clear it wants to replicate this model across the country.
However, the likelihood of large-scale foreign interest remains slim, especially from Western nations still wary of North Korea’s human rights record and geopolitical ambitions.
Tourism from countries like China and Russia North Korea’s closest allies is likely to continue, but even that will depend on the regime’s ability to maintain basic amenities and ensure safe access for visitors.
The Ju-ae Factor: A Future Successor in the Making?
Ju-ae’s repeated presence at public and high-profile state events, including the Wonsan resort opening, has sparked speculation that she may be groomed as Kim’s eventual successor.
She first appeared in state media in 2022 during a missile launch and has since become a regular figure in carefully curated public displays.
Analysts believe the regime’s calculated display of the ruling family is meant to underscore both the present leadership and its continuity.
“By reappearing alongside her daughter, Ri is attempting to project a sense of family stability, which in turn reinforces the image of national stability,” said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies.
Russia-North Korea Ties: A Strategic Context
The Wonsan Kalma resort opening also comes amid deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora attended the event, and direct train routes between North Korea and Russia have recently resumed.
Pyongyang has reportedly sent troops to support Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, further isolating it from the West but strengthening its position with select allies.
This cooperation could offer North Korea more economic avenues for tourism and trade, particularly with Russian nationals.
A Mirage or a Masterstroke?
As stunning as the images of the Wonsan Kalma resort may be, the reality remains difficult to verify. Independent access to the site is restricted, and many of the amenities, while advertised, cannot be confirmed.
Whether the resort becomes a genuine tourist hotspot or another symbol of state propaganda is yet to be seen.
But for Kim Jong Un, the message is clear: North Korea is open for (selective) business, and tourism is being elevated to the same pedestal as missiles at least in the country’s domestic narrative.
Conclusion: Betting Big on a Beach Dream
The opening of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Resort marks a rare attempt by the North Korean regime to project a softer image to the world. With luxury hotels, water slides, and family photo ops, Kim Jong Un is trying to rewrite North Korea’s international script from threats to tourism.
Whether the gamble pays off, or whether it becomes another isolated showpiece behind closed borders, remains to be seen. But in the hermit kingdom, where optics are everything, the beach is now political terrain.
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