Kim Jong-un Inaugurates North Korea’s New Resort For 20,000 Tourists, But Who Will Visit?

North Korea's New Wonsan Kalma Resort

• 💡 Kim Jong-un inaugurated the Wonsan Kalma coastal resort zone on June 24th, following seven years of planning and construction.
• 🎯 The project aims to boost tourism and generate foreign currency for North Korea, especially given existing international sanctions.
• 🏨 The resort features 54 hotels, VIP cottages, water parks, cinemas, and pubs, designed to accommodate up to 20,000 guests along a 5 km beachfront.

Current Access and International Ambitions

• ⚠️ As of July 1st, 2025, the resort is only open to domestic visitors, with no confirmed date for when international tourists will be allowed.
• 🇷🇺 A Russian travel agency has organized 3-week tour packages for July and August 2025, priced at $1840, offering limited access.
• ✈️ The proximity of the Kalma train station and an international airport suggests a long-term intent to attract international visitors eventually.

Strict Travel Restrictions and Warnings

• 🔒 North Korea maintains a highly controlled and secretive environment, with all tours being state-supervised and traveler movements strictly monitored.
• 🇮🇳 India has issued a complete travel ban on North Korea, advising against non-essential travel due to unpredictable security conditions and limited consular access.
• 🇺🇸 The **US State Department advises