Wonsan-Kalma resort officially opened on June 24, 2025, with Kim Jong Un cutting the ribbon himself. State media praised it as a “national treasure-level tourist city.” However, many observers call it a lavish distraction from the hunger and hardship across North Korea.
Built along the east coast near Wonsan, the resort offers water parks, high-rise hotels, and 20,000 guest rooms. This seaside development reflects Kim’s ongoing effort to show economic progress, even as most citizens struggle with daily needs.
Service for North Koreans begins July 1. Yet, officials haven’t explained who qualifies or how they will travel there. Earlier this month, the regime launched Kalma railway station. They claim it will “provide a high level of convenience for travelers.” This station links the city to other regions, though domestic travel remains tightly controlled.
Located near Wonsan International Airport, the Wonsan-Kalma resort appears designed to attract foreign currency. Its location suggests the leadership hopes to invite international tourists in the future. That goal, however, faces serious challenges due to North Korea’s isolation.
No Western diplomats attended the opening. Only the Russian ambassador and his staff appeared at the ceremony. This limited attendance highlights Pyongyang’s growing alignment with Moscow amid strained ties with the West.
North Korea has tried controlled tourism before. In 2023, Russian tourists visited Masikryong Ski Resort for a supervised three-day trip. During their stay, they faced strict photography rules and attended choreographed children’s performances.
Experts believe Russians could soon visit the new beach resort. Rachel Minyoung Lee, an external fellow at the 38 North program, says the resort helps promote Kim’s “people-first” image. It also offsets attention on his military buildup by shifting focus to leisure and domestic development.
Despite the public opening, most North Koreans won’t enjoy the resort. According to Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University, only Pyongyang’s elite—like senior party officials—will access it. He says the project reflects Kim’s vision of “socialist civilization” and economic growth through tourism.
The regime has used tourism as soft diplomacy before. In the 1990s, North Korea welcomed South Korean visitors to Mount Kumgang. That project ended in 2008 when a North Korean soldier shot a tourist who entered a restricted area. The tragic event halted cross-border tourism and reminded the world of North Korea’s rigid controls.
This new resort rekindles that strategy but under even tighter supervision. Although the Wonsan-Kalma resort may look inviting, it raises questions. Who will benefit? Is it truly for the people or only the elite?
The United Nations remains critical. In 2024, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk described life in North Korea as “a hopeless daily struggle.” Extravagant projects like this do little to ease those struggles.
Kim Jong Un hopes the world sees a modern, thriving nation. But behind the glamorous facade, millions still face food shortages, repression, and isolation. The Wonsan-Kalma resort may serve as a symbol of ambition—but also inequality.
