Satellite images have unveiled the progress of North Korea‘s long-awaited Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, showcasing near-complete hotels, shops, an arena, and parking lots. While an opening date is still uncertain, it seems Pyongyang is gearing up to welcome visitors soon.
Construction of Wonsan-Kalma, situated four hours east of Pyongyang, began in 2018 and is set to be finished by 2020, despite facing various setbacks including pandemic delays. From satellite photos, it’s evident that progress is being made throughout the resort, right down to beach chair setups.
The successful operation of the resort could be a key part of Kim Jong Un’s plans to boost North Korea’s controlled tourism industry.
As work continues, a handful of guests, including a Russian media team, have visited the site, with Russian tour operators preparing for its opening.
Updates on North Korea’s tourism correlate with progress at the Wonsan-Kalma complex. Noteworthy events include a Russian skiing trip in March and the resumption of rail travel to North Korea, indicating expanding North Korea-Russia relations amid tensions with the U.S.
The upcoming visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea signifies efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, especially amidst escalating military cooperation. This visit could follow his trip to Vietnam in June.
For the North Korean public, a stay at Wonsan-Kalma would need to be budget-friendly, considering the country’s low average monthly salary of around $3, controlled by the government.