Analysts suggest Russian tourists will be welcomed ahead of other foreigners, given deepening military and diplomatic ties between both nations.
North Korea will open its new Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort to domestic visitors next week, with leader Kim Jong-un hailing it as a “proud first step” in revitalising the country’s tourism sector.
Spanning four kilometres along the country’s eastern seaboard, the resort features hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, and a water park, according to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Construction began in 2018 but faced delays due to technical setbacks and the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Tuesday’s launch, Kim was joined by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae. Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora was also in attendance, signalling Moscow’s priority access once international tourism resumes.
“The completion of Wonsan-Kalma would be one of the greatest successes this year,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
Analysts suggest Russian tourists will be welcomed ahead of other foreigners, given deepening military and diplomatic ties between both nations.
Pyongyang’s pandemic-era foreign tourist ban remains in place, though some Russian groups have been allowed limited access since 2023.