North Korea opens new beach paradise: Who can come?

North Korea opens new beach paradise: Who can come?

North Korea opened a new beach resort on the east coast on July 6, 2025, the result of a long-term construction project initiated by leader Kim Jong-un. This resort, which can accommodate up to 20,000 guests, marks a significant step in North Korea's efforts to promote the tourism sector and expand economic prospects. However, despite this expansion, the country's visitor policy remains restrictive, with North Korea only allowing access to a few foreign tourists.

The exact target group of potential visitors to the resort is currently unclear. Analysts and observers wonder whether the resort is intended primarily for domestic tourists or for a select few international guests. This is particularly significant since North Korea has traditionally pursued an isolationist policy. However, the resort's construction has sparked interest, with speculation that it may attempt to generate foreign exchange through tourism and stabilize the struggling economic system.

Tourism in focus

With the newly opened beach resort in Wonsan-Kalma, Kim Jong-un obviously wants to initiate a turnaround in the country's tourism sector. Loud Euronews The North Korean leader is pursuing ambitious plans to make the tourism sector more attractive. This comes at a time when the country is increasingly looking for ways to overcome its economic challenges.

The resort is part of a broader plan to develop North Korea's east coast as a tourist destination. This could both strengthen the domestic market and, if geopolitical conditions change, attract international travelers. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether the resort can actually bring the intended economic benefits.