North Korea has barred foreign tourists from visiting its newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, despite earlier promoting the resort as a destination for both locals and international visitors. Russian officials attended the resort’s opening ceremony alongside Kim and his family on 24 June.
The ban was announced on the country’s tourism website, which stated that foreigners are “temporarily” not allowed to enter the resort, report agencies.
The restriction comes just days after the first Russian tourist group reportedly visited the site and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Kim Jong Un in Wonsan.
Lavrov praised the coastal resort and said he hoped it would gain popularity among Russian tourists. Russia and North Korea are expected to launch direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang by the end of July.
The Wonsan resort, officially opened on 1 July, includes a 4km beachfront, hotels, shopping areas, restaurants, and a water park, with capacity for 20,000 visitors, according to North Korean state media. The project is a centerpiece of Kim Jong Un’s push to boost tourism and generate foreign revenue.
Started back in 2018, the resort’s construction has faced criticism from human rights groups over allegations of forced labor, unsafe working conditions, and low or no wages.
Notably, Wonsan is also known for its strategic importance, housing missile facilities and military infrastructure, as well as private villas used by North Korea’s ruling elite.