Kim Jong Un opens landmark coastal Wonsan tourist zone

North Korea has completed construction of a massive tourist zone on its east coast, state media reported Thursday. The project, championed by leader Kim Jong Un for years, aims to boost tourism in the isolated country.

With "great satisfaction," Kim attended the inauguration ceremony of the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area, which can accommodate about 20,000 visitors. He also pledged that more large-scale tourist zones would be developed swiftly, according to the KCNA news agency.

Kim has been transforming the seaside city of Wonsan—a popular vacation spot for locals—into a billion-dollar tourist hub. Development plans for Wonsan have expanded significantly since their initial announcement in 2014.

While tourism remains one of the few sources of foreign currency not heavily targeted by United Nations sanctions, North Korea lacks a major foreign partner for the Wonsan project, largely due to ongoing sanctions linked to its weapons programs.

The tourist zone is set to open for domestic visitors starting July 1, KCNA said, without mentioning plans for foreign tourists.

North Korea closed its borders in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but has gradually eased restrictions since 2023. It has permitted Russian tourist groups to enter, though Pyongyang and other areas remain largely off-limits to regular tourism. In April, the country hosted a marathon event featuring foreign runners.

Moscow and Pyongyang, both economically and politically isolated, have strengthened ties recently. North Korea has deployed thousands of troops and supplied ammunition, artillery, and missiles for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Russian ambassador and embassy staff were invited as special guests at the Wonsan ceremony, KCNA reported. The two countries have also agreed to expand tourism cooperation, including restarting a direct passenger train service between their capitals for the first time since 2020.

“Kim Jong Un expressed confidence that the wave of happiness to be raised in the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area would enhance its reputation as a world-class tourist and cultural resort,” KCNA said.