| Published June 27, 2025
Wonsan, North Korea – June 24, 2025 —
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un officially inaugurated the sprawling Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist resort this week, hailing it as one of the regime’s “greatest successes” of the year and a proud milestone for the nation’s economic ambitions.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on the country’s eastern coastline, featured rare public appearances by Kim’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, and daughter Kim Ju Ae. Their presence underscored the significance of the event, with state media highlighting the resort as a symbol of progress and modernization.
The Wonsan-Kalma resort stretches more than four kilometers along the beach and includes an array of luxury facilities—hotels, restaurants, retail shops, sports arenas, surf pools, and water parks—capable of accommodating up to 20,000 guests. Initially proposed in 2013 and delayed due to international sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has now come to fruition after more than a decade of planning.
According to reports, domestic tourists will be allowed to visit beginning July 1, with the first foreign group—Russian tourists—expected to arrive in early July. Access for tourists from China and other countries has not yet been confirmed.
The event also marked a growing trend in Kim Ju Ae’s visibility in state functions, further drawing attention from analysts who have speculated about her future role within the leadership.
North Korean officials promoted the resort as a beacon of national pride, meant to revitalize local development and welcome international visitors to experience the “modern face” of the Hermit Kingdom.
Implications
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Economic Diversification:
The resort reflects North Korea’s strategy to diversify its heavily sanctioned economy by tapping into tourism as a legal source of foreign currency. -
Geopolitical Signaling:
The presence of the Russian ambassador and absence of Chinese delegates suggest a shift in North Korea’s diplomatic alignment, potentially favoring closer ties with Moscow amid tensions with Beijing. -
Dynastic Messaging:
Kim Ju Ae’s public appearance alongside Kim Jong Un reinforces her emerging prominence, subtly positioning her as a possible successor and consolidating internal regime stability. -
Propaganda Value:
The grand opening offers the regime a domestic propaganda victory, showcasing progress and development despite global isolation and economic hardship. -
Human Rights Concerns:
International scrutiny may intensify over reports of forced labor and resource diversion, complicating North Korea’s hopes for broader foreign tourism or investment.
💬 Overall Takeaway:
North Korea’s opening of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort serves not only as an ambitious attempt to attract tourism revenue amid sanctions but also as a carefully orchestrated display of regime strength and dynastic continuity. While it may boost domestic morale and signal openness to foreign engagement—especially with Russia—the project’s long-term success remains uncertain due to international sanctions, limited tourist access, and unresolved diplomatic tensions.
