The new North Korean tourist center, the coastal spa of Wonshan Kalma, has stopped receiving foreign tourists Just two weeks after its official opening, announced on July 1. The complex, promoted by Kim Jong himself as a showcase of the country’s tourism potential, was presented by state media as a luxurious international destination, as collected BBC.
With an extension of four kilometers in front of the sea, the enclosure includes hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and recreation areas, with capacity To house up to 20,000 visitors. However, the official website DPR Korea Tour, managed by North Korean authorities, recently published a notice in which the entry of foreign tourists is temporarily prohibited. The reason for this decision has not yet been shared.
The restriction comes a few days after a first group of Russian tourists visited the spa, coinciding with the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, who warmed the complex by qualifying it as A “good tourist attraction.”
Despite the ambitious image campaign, the project has been involved in controversy since its inception in 2018. Human Rights Organizations have denounced the harsh working conditions, long days and irisal salaries for the workers involved in the construction of the complex. For now, the resort is closed to foreign visitors, while it is unknown if the measure responds to issues of security, logistics or political motifs.
