A new tourist venture will be inaugurated briefly for vacation by the sea, which was considered by Correio da Manhã to “the most closed country in the world”. The information was released by the country’s official media, which highlight the importance of the project for the development of the internal economy.
It is called Wonsan Kalma and is located on the eastern coast of the North Korean territory. The opening to the national public is scheduled for July 1. The project was initially scheduled for 2019, but only now has been completed, reports the BBC.
Large infrastructure
With a range of four kilometers of beach, the resort is capable of receiving up to 20,000 visitors. The infrastructure includes hotels, restaurants, commercial zones and a water park, according to state agency KCNA.
Wonsan has special relevance to Kim Jong Un, who has passed part of the youth. The region is also associated with missile launches in the past. Investment in tourism emerges as an attempt to redefine the image of the city, explains the British source BBC.
Possibility of restricted access to foreigners
For now, the opening of Wonsan Kalma will only be for North Korean tourists. It is not yet clear whether and when the resort will receive visitors from outside the country to vacation. So far, only Russian tourists have been allowed to enter certain areas, says Reuters.
During the pandemic, North Korea closed borders and almost totally suspended the entry of foreigners. Despite some signs of reopening in 2023, access was restricted again weeks later, without official explanation.
Holidays with internal profile
This investment is seen by some analysts as a way to stimulate domestic tourism, at a time when foreign revenues are limited by international sanctions. The country seeks solutions to streamline the economy.
Resort construction is part of a highly centralized management model. Most of the country’s resources continue to be channeled to the military and symbolic sectors, such as monuments and infrastructure in Pyongyang.
Restrictions and sanctions remain active
Sanctions linked to the nuclear program remain in force and make economic exchanges difficult with the outside. This new tourist bet arises in a context of strong limitations on international trade.
Russia and China maintain diplomatic and commercial relations with North Korea. They are also the main origins of foreign visitors authorized to enter the country on special occasions or through organized tour packages, explains the same source.
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Kim’s participation in the ceremony
The ceremony of completion of the works took place on June 24 and was attended by Kim Jong Un, his wife and daughter, says the. The presence of elite figures of the regime underlines the symbolic importance of the project for the government.
Among the guests was Russia’s ambassador to Pyongyang, Alexander Matsegora, accompanied by embassy elements. The relationship between the two countries has been reinforcing itself in recent months.
Reopen railway connection
The reopening of a railway line between Pyongyang and Moscow, ended since the beginning of the pandemic, is part of this reinforcement of bows. This connection may facilitate the flow of Russian tourists to the country.
Some specialized tourism agencies in North Korea have expressed doubts about the attractiveness of the new resort. They consider that international visitors continue to prefer destinations such as Pyongyang or the demilitarized zone.
Holidays in a unique cultural context
Despite doubts, there are operators who see a special appeal for tourists interested in unusual destinations in the country. The possibility of vacation in a place like Wonsan Kalma can attract a very specific profile of travelers.
The words “vacation” and “country” rarely come together in the context of North Korea. Still, the opening of a space like Wonsan Kalma reveals an effort of the regime to present a new facet of one of the most closed countries in the world.
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