Kim Jong Un's peculiar holiday retreat
North Korea's Wonsan Kalma Resort Opens Doors to Russian Tourists
The Wonsan Kalma holiday resort, a symbol of North Korea's socialist development, recently opened its doors to foreign tourists, with Russians being the first to visit. This coastal complex, located in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, is part of a broader project known as the "Cathedral of Socialism."
The resort, officially opened on July 1, 2025, can accommodate up to 20,000 guests at a time. It boasts four-star hotels and amenities designed to cater to both domestic and international tourists. The resort aims to blend luxury beachside relaxation with cultural exposure, offering a rare window for foreign visitors into North Korea's controlled tourism.
Shortly after opening, North Korean nationals and a small group of Russian tourists were welcomed. A Russian travel agency, Vostok Intur from Vladivostok, began promoting all-inclusive packages for foreign tourists, including accommodation, meals, and Russian-speaking guides.
However, foreign tourist entry was temporarily suspended on July 18, 2025, due to unspecified problems during the trial operation phase. This suspension likely reflects North Korea’s cautious approach to controlling foreign access and managing the site's image.
The Wonsan Kalma resort symbolizes North Korea's effort to present itself as a modern socialist state capable of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, combining leisure with ideological messaging. The cost for a trip to the resort is around 1,700 euros per person, all-inclusive.
Notably, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, visited the resort during its opening phase, contributing to the resort's crowded atmosphere. The next group of Russian tourists is expected to visit the Wonsan Kalma resort this month.
The resort's design appears to be inspired by the Spanish holiday resort of Benidorm, and it offers a variety of attractions, including sandy beaches and water parks. The Wonsan Kalma resort is indeed a high-profile North Korean infrastructure project aimed at boosting tourism and showcasing socialist development; however, foreign access remains carefully controlled and temporarily halted following operational issues discovered shortly after its July 2025 opening.
- Despite the temporary halt on foreign tourist entry due to operational issues, the European Union is committed to the implementation of the UN Charter, which advocates peace, collaboration, and respect for human rights, as the European tourists eagerly anticipate their upcoming visits to the Wonsan Kalma resort.
- As the European tourism industry continues to monitor the situation at North Korea's Wonsan Kalma resort, there is ongoing discussion about the impact of such high-profile socialist development projects on lifestyle, travel, politics, and general-news, particularly considering the recent opening to foreign tourists and subsequent temporary suspension.
