Kim Jong Un Attends Opening Ceremony

North Korea is preparing to unveil a new luxury coastal resort at his hometown in the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone.

The project was officially showcased by state-run media KCNA on June 26, after years of delays.

Originally slated to open six years ago, the resort is now scheduled to welcome domestic tourists from July 1, 2025. However, no timeline has been announced for when foreign visitors will be permitted entry.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally attended the completion ceremony on June 24, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae and wife Ri Sol Ju—marking Ri’s first public appearance since a New Year's Day event in 2024.

Also present were Russian ambassador Alexander Matsegora and other members of the Russian embassy, signaling ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Inside the Wonsan Kalma Resort

According to KCNA, the Wonsan Kalma resort spans 4 kilometers of beachfront and can host up to 20,000 guests. It also features restaurants, a water park, hotels, and shopping malls.

State media stated that Kim Jong Un believed that the resort would enhance Wonsan's profile as the "world-class cultural and tourist destination."

However, international media have raised concerns that the project has likely used a large investment from the state's limited budget and thus likely needs to attract international tourists to remain financially viable.

Wonsan holds symbolic value for Kim Jong Un, who reportedly spent part of his childhood there. The area is known for its exclusive private villas for the elite and once housed a missile test site.

It seems that Kim now hopes the development will help the city boost tourism.

Tourism Reopens Amid Caution

After a five-year closure prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea began reopening to foreign tourists in December 2024, according to the BBC.

In response, travel agencies in Singapore and other countries have started preparing group tours for the first time since 2019.

However, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) continues to advise against travel to North Korea. The advisory, first issued in September 2019, remains in effect:

“The situation in North Korea remains unpredictable. Singaporeans should avoid all non-essential travel. Those who do visit should be aware of the risks of inadvertently violating United Nations Security Council sanctions and Singapore’s corresponding laws, which remain in place.”