North Korea inaugurates world-class tourist resort, Kim Jong Un 'greatly pleased'

Triều Tiên - Ảnh 1. — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the Wonsan Kalma tourist area - Photo: REUTERS

Pick up from 1-7

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), leader Kim Jong Un expressed "great satisfaction" at the inauguration of the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area, which can accommodate about 20,000 tourists, on June 24. He affirmed that North Korea will quickly build more large-scale tourist areas in the near future.

Mr Kim has rebuilt the coastal city of Wonsan, a popular local resort, into a multibillion-dollar tourist attraction. Development plans for Wonsan have flourished since the idea was first announced in 2014.

KCNA said the resort will open to domestic tourists from July 1. There is currently no information on whether foreign tourists will visit after the inauguration.

Kim Jong Un: Waves of happiness surge

According to the news agency, Mr. Kim expressed confidence that "the wave of happiness surging in the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area" would enhance its attractive reputation as a " world- class" cultural tourism resort.

North Korea closed its borders in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began and gradually lifted restrictions starting in 2023.

The country has allowed Russian tour groups, but some areas of North Korea remain closed to regular tourism, according to Reuters. In April, North Korea held a marathon event with foreign athletes.

According to KCNA, the Russian ambassador to North Korea and embassy staff were special guests at the ceremony in Wonsan.

Moscow and Pyongyang have drawn closer together in recent times as both sides face mounting pressure from the West.

The two countries have agreed to expand cooperation in tourism, restarting direct passenger train services between the two capitals for the first time since 2020.