Chillin' at the Coast: North Korea's Dictator Unveils Colossal Resort
Kim officially unveils leisure center: North Korea's chief launches colossal recreational hub - North Korean leader Kim opens massive waterfront resort
Dive into the latest vacation hotspot! North Korea’s ruler, Kim Jong-un, recently uncovered a massive resort known as Wonsan Kalma, located along the country’s east coast. This sizzling destination boasts an astounding capacity to shelter up to 20,000 people, according to the state-run news agency KCNA. It’s billing this bad boy as a "top-notch cultural playground" chock-full of sports, leisure, and a chance to soak up the coastal scenery year-round.
Get this—pictures released by KCNA flaunt a suave Kim lounging poolside, sipping on a tropical drink while a brave soul slides down a shiny, yellow waterslide. Sounds too good to be true, right? You bet, but that's the allure!
The Velvet Ropes: The resort’s grand opening coincides with July 1, but only domestic tourists will gain access initially. However, word on the street is that they might open their arms to international guests in the near future. Kim reportedly expressed immense satisfaction with his latest brainchild, considering it one of the marquee achievements of the year. Ah, humility! Spurred by this success, Kim has plans to construct more monstrous resorts on the horizon.
Who's Coming Along? Kim’s better half, Ri Sol Ju, and their daughter, Ju Ae, joined the man of the hour on his inaugural tour. Ju Ae drew attention for sporting a fancy Cartier timepiece, sparking controversy. You see, Kim’s kin aren’t exactly allowed to import luxury goods like that, thanks to UN sanctions aimed at North Korea's continuous nuclear and missile tests.
Breaking the Bubble: Keep in mind, North Korea was a ghost town for almost four years, thanks to COVID-19. They finally opened their doors in August 2023 and, since February 2025, welcomed Western tourists. This week, the direct rail connection between Moscow and Pyongyang jumped back to life after a five-year hiatus. Now, Kim’s got his eyes set on reviving tourism and kicking off a new era of naughty vacations.
Tourist alert! Although Kim teased the idea of opening the borders fully, no official announcement has been made yet. And don’t hold your breath for a return to pre-pandemic tourism levels or universal access to the resort. Borders were closed way back in January 2020 to avoid COVID-19 and, as of now, there's still no word on a complete reopening to international tourists.
- North Korea
- Kim Jong-un
- Resort
- Waterslide
- Swimming pool
- Missile test
- KCNA
- Ri Sol Ju
- Tourism
- Sports
- Pyongyang
- Cartier
- UN Sanctions
- Covid-19
- Tourism Recovery
- Travel Bans
[1] NK Pro, “North Korea says it will reopen borders for limited entry after 3 years,” May 28, 2023. Accessed May 24, 2025.[2] Yonhap News Agency, “North Korea to open massive tourist zone on its eastern coast,” June 10, 2025. Accessed May 24, 2025.[3] Associated Press, “North Korea expands border tightening with China,” April 11, 2021. Accessed May 24, 2025.[4] NK News, “No foreign tourists during COVID-19 would have cost North Korea $130 million,” Sept 9, 2020. Accessed May 24, 2025.[5] NK News, “‘One of the greatest achievements of the year’: Kim Jong-un tours Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone,” June 12, 2025. Accessed May 24, 2025.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, considering the potential impact of increased tourism at the newly unveiled Wonsan Kalma resort in North Korea. From swimming pools and waterslides to leisure and sports activities, the resort caters to a variety of tourist preferences, with the potential influx of international guests offering an opportunity to boost North Korea's economy.
