North Korea has surprised the world by closing its brand-new seaside resort to foreign tourists, mere weeks after its grand opening. The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, which swung open its doors on 1 July, was heralded as a centrepiece of Kim Jong Un’s strategy to bolster tourism. But suddenly, a notice on the regime’s tourism website has declared foreigners "temporarily" unwelcome.

 

Only last week, the first Russian tourists were reportedly savouring the new attraction around the time Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Kim Jong Un. Lavrov praised the seaside site as a "good tourist attraction" and expressed his hopes that it would draw Russian travellers. Russian and North Korean officials are planning to initiate direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang by the end of the month.

 

Future Russian tourism plans to Wonsan have been put on hold, according to a tour guide speaking to NK News, revealing several trips were initially on the cards. Wonsan, located along North Korea’s east coast, is historically significant, housing not only missile facilities but also recalling Kim Jong Un's early years spent amidst luxurious holiday homes.

 

The resort spans 4km of stunning beachfront, brimming with hotels, eateries, shopping areas, and a water park, accommodating up to 20,000 guests. State media had been celebrating its potential to attract tourists from abroad, alongside locals. However, human rights organisations have criticised the resort's development, highlighting reports that workers endured gruelling conditions and insufficient pay during its construction, which began in 2018.

 

Russian ambassadors joined Kim Jong Un and his family at a completion ceremony on 24 June. This marked the first sign of North Korea welcoming foreign tourists since the pandemic, as it invited Russians back after a lengthy halt in tourism.

 

Earlier this year, in February, North Korea began accepting tourists from Western countries, including visitors from Australia, France, Germany, and the UK. However, the initiative was short-lived as North Korea abruptly stopped allowing tourists, offering no clarification for the sudden closure.

 

While the exact reasons for the latest move remain unclear, it underscores North Korea’s unpredictable approach to foreign tourism. As eager travellers wait for developments, North Korea's shuttered resort now stands as a testament to ambition tempered by secrecy.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-07-22

 

 

It's a pity. I just wanted to book a flight.😂

Welcome to North Korea! 

They probably read about how well the Russian tourists were behaving in other Asian countries. Always a few nut cases to ruin it for the rest. 

The cardboard buildings and fake grocery items in shops started to delaminate. It will open as soon as they tape them back up. 

 

 

Maybe had a plane load of Jet 2 Geordies landed .......whoops....big mistake

I heard it on good authority that there were concerns about British tourists overstaying their visas and refusing to return to the UK after getting a taste of real freedom in North Korea. 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

 

North Korea has surprised the world by closing its brand-new seaside resort to foreign tourists, mere weeks after its grand opening. The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, which swung open its doors on 1 July, was heralded as a centrepiece of Kim Jong Un’s strategy to bolster tourism. But suddenly, a notice on the regime’s tourism website has declared foreigners "temporarily" unwelcome.

 

Only last week, the first Russian tourists were reportedly savouring the new attraction around the time Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Kim Jong Un. Lavrov praised the seaside site as a "good tourist attraction" and expressed his hopes that it would draw Russian travellers. Russian and North Korean officials are planning to initiate direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang by the end of the month.

 

Future Russian tourism plans to Wonsan have been put on hold, according to a tour guide speaking to NK News, revealing several trips were initially on the cards. Wonsan, located along North Korea’s east coast, is historically significant, housing not only missile facilities but also recalling Kim Jong Un's early years spent amidst luxurious holiday homes.

 

The resort spans 4km of stunning beachfront, brimming with hotels, eateries, shopping areas, and a water park, accommodating up to 20,000 guests. State media had been celebrating its potential to attract tourists from abroad, alongside locals. However, human rights organisations have criticised the resort's development, highlighting reports that workers endured gruelling conditions and insufficient pay during its construction, which began in 2018.

 

Russian ambassadors joined Kim Jong Un and his family at a completion ceremony on 24 June. This marked the first sign of North Korea welcoming foreign tourists since the pandemic, as it invited Russians back after a lengthy halt in tourism.

 

Earlier this year, in February, North Korea began accepting tourists from Western countries, including visitors from Australia, France, Germany, and the UK. However, the initiative was short-lived as North Korea abruptly stopped allowing tourists, offering no clarification for the sudden closure.

 

While the exact reasons for the latest move remain unclear, it underscores North Korea’s unpredictable approach to foreign tourism. As eager travellers wait for developments, North Korea's shuttered resort now stands as a testament to ambition tempered by secrecy.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-07-22

 

 

North Korea along with a few other countries certainly not on my Bucket List, I will stick with the South.

2 hours ago, Hakuna Matata said:

Welcome to North Korea! 

Not possible at present

Probably just now realized that they needed a new demilitarized zone between this beach resort and the rest of N. Korea to prevent journalists wandering off interviewing people, taking pictures etc.

Anti-selling can be a brilliant sales strategy. It creates desire. Unfortunately, I don't think it's really going to work in this case (North Korea).

One thousand percent fake photo, total bulldump . 💯0 %

 

The place doesn't even exist.

 

Just another psyop for the dummies.

 

Why the fnck you think N. Korea going to let you vacation in their country, the supposed tightest most surveilled country on earth? 🤣

 

Total bullship

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

It's a pity. I just wanted to book a flight.😂

 

Oh dear, I actually had no plans, zero, nil, no way to go there 😅

They just need a brilliant real estate developer to open up a casino and hotel there, and it will thrive.  I wonder who they could get....

 

Cue "The Donald Signal" flashing in the night sky!

Travel destinations must be slim pickings for the Ruskies 

12 minutes ago, Rimmer said:

 

Oh dear, I actually had no plans, zero, nil, no way to go there 😅

To be honest if there would be a flight from CNX to N-Korea I would fancy it. Just too curious 

And who in their right mind would go to North Korea as a tourist??? 🤪

5 minutes ago, harryviking said:

And who in their right mind would go to North Korea as a tourist??? 🤪

 

If the northies are as tasty as the  southies.... I'd go for a sample.

23 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

To be honest if there would be a flight from CNX to N-Korea I would fancy it. Just too curious 

 

Yeah, it would be a one-way flight. 🙂

11 minutes ago, bg53 said:

 

Yeah, it would be a one-way flight. 🙂

😱😨🤢 Yeah, I forgot

5 hours ago, harryviking said:

And who in their right mind would go to North Korea as a tourist??? 🤪

Me

5 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

If the northies are as tasty as the  southies.... I'd go for a sample.

 

I think they're considerably slimmer.

1 minute ago, BusyB said:

 

I think they're considerably slimmer.

 

Hmmm ymummy yum yum.

 

The southies are deilcous.... Defo a trip north I need to do then.

5 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Me

🙄