Kim Jong Un's Tourism Push: Wonsan's Transformation to a Playground for Locals
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Tourists enticed by a water slide will find interest in a visit under Kim Jong-un's reign. - North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, looks to boost tourism by introducing an extravagant water slide
Kim Jong Un's vision for North Korea's east coast has finally come to life, with the grand opening of the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone. This $1 billion-dollar project, according to state news agency KCNA, left Kim Jong Un beaming with satisfaction. The zone, spread across about 4 kilometers, is expected to cater to around 20,000 visitors annually, aiming to become a world-class tourist destination.
The sprawling Wonsan coastal city, once a favorite vacation spot for locals, is now undergoing a massive transformation under Kim's leadership. The development plans for Wonsan were first set in motion in 2014, though international sanctions over North Korea's weapons programs delayed the project's progress.
As of June 2025, the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone is accessible solely to domestic tourists, with the official opening slated for July 1. Although North Korea has begun loosening its borders following the 2023 COVID-19 relaxation, no official date has been announced for international tourists to visit.
Despite gradually opening its doors to some foreigners – including Russian tourist groups – the country remains shrouded in caution. Sites like Pyongyang and other regions continue to be off-limits for general tourism. The German Foreign Office even counsels against traveling to North Korea, citing suspicion from the local populace and frequent limitations on independent exploration.
- Kim Jong-un
- North Korea
- Wonsan
Insights
- The Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone caters to a variety of facilities, including hotels, dining options, shopping centers, water parks, and recreational facilities [1][3][5].
- North Korea’s approach to foreign tourism remains cautious, with the focus on domestic tourists and selective access to foreign groups due to pandemic concerns and political sensitivities [1][2][5].
- In 2024, North Korea started easing restrictions for Russian visitors, reflecting close bilateral ties [5].
- Construction on the Wonsan-Kalma resort started in 2018 but faced setbacks due to technical issues and COVID-19-related constraints [3].
- Despite limited foreign access, Kim Jong Un views the Wonsan-Kalma resort as the first step towards broadening North Korea’s tourism industry as part of its larger economic revitalization efforts [1][3][4].
The Future of North Korea's Tourism Under Kim Jong Un
With the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone now open, Kim Jong Un plans to expand the tourism sector further by building additional large tourist zones across the country. However, the full reopening of international tourism hinges on pandemic control, geopolitical stability, and regime sensitiveness regarding foreign tourists' potential impact on North Korea's image.
References:[1] RFA - Radio Free Asia (2025, June 30). North Korea opens giant Wonsan beach resort to local tourists. Retrieved from https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/beach-06302025145555.html
[2] The Washington Post (2025, July 1). North Korea opens massive Wonsan tourist zone for domestic tourists. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/01/north-korea-opens-massive-wonsan-tourist-zone-domestic-tourists/
[3] NK Pro (2025, June 30). Kim Jong Un opens Wonsan-Kalma Tourist Area development site amid pandemic measures. Retrieved from https://www.nkpro.org/analysis/kim-jong-un-opens-wonsan-kalma-tourist-area-development-site-amid-pandemic-measures/
[4] CNN (2025, July 1). North Korea opens Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/01/asia/north-korea-wonsan-tourist-zone-intl/index.html
[5] Kyodo News (2025, July 1). Russia to be first foreign country to send tourists to North Korea's Wonsan-Kalma Resort. Retrieved from https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/07/ffa8998b315e-russia-to-be-first-foreign-country-to-send-tourists-to-north-korea-s-wonsan-kalma-resort.html
Kim Jong-un's vision for his lifestyle is evident in the ongoing transformation of Wonsan, North Korea, as he pursues the development of world-class tourist destinations like the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone. Despite the zone currently being accessible only to domestic tourists, international tourists may have the opportunity to visit once pandemic control, geopolitical stability, and regime sensitiveness are favorably addressed, allowing for broader tourism industry growth in North Korea.
