North Korean structures under Kim Jong-un's 'enemy states' policy dismantled in South Korea
Revised and Rewritten Article:
From razing symbolic structures to building new tourism hotspots, North Korea's Mount Kumgang zone is experiencing drastic transformations, marking a break with inter-Korean cooperation and a push towards self-sufficient, domestic-driven tourism projects.
Demolishing Symbols of Inter-Korean Ties
Recent satellite images (as of April 21, 2025) reveal that the main Ananti Golf Resort has been leveled to the ground, with only its foundations remaining. The Kumgang Family Reunion Center, a crucial venue for North-South family interactions, still stands intact, albeit with its auxiliary buildings missing roofs. This aligns with Kim Jong Un's 2019 order to remove "shabby-looking South Korean facilities," part of his broader strategy to sever inter-Korean ties and champion a "hostile two-state doctrine."
Embracing Domestic Tourism Ventures
North Korea is investing in new tourism infrastructure as part of its economic policy, even though the replacement projects for Mount Kumgang remain unfinished. In contrast, the Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone near Wonsan, designated in 2014 and linked to Mount Kumgang, has witnessed accelerated construction since Kim's visit in July 2024, aiming for a June 2025 debut. Kim declared Kalma "complete" in December 2024 and emphasized tourism as a way to skirt international sanctions and generate revenue. The plan is to attract Russian tourists post-opening.
Implications for the Future
These demolitions and new developments echo Pyongyang’s rejection of unification narratives in favor of economic self-reliance. Tourism is now portrayed as a nationalist endeavor, with state media shying away from the collaborative language used in earlier Mount Kumgang projects. South Korea has consistently criticized the demolitions but lacks the power to intervene effectively.
[1] http://www.38north.org/2022/10/jjyang091522/[2] https://PressHerald.com/2025/04/26/satellite-images-show-demolition-of-ananti-golf-resort-in-north-koreas-kumgang-mountain-tourist-zone/[3] https://KoreaTimes.com/2025/04/25/north-korea-rushing-to-complete-kalma-coastal-tourist-zone-by-june/[5] https://YonhapNews.co.kr/en/2022/10/06/a Население/POLITICS/s20221006001500318.html
- The government of South Korea has seen the recent developments in North Korea's Mount Kumgang zone as a reaffirmation of Kim Jong Un's push towards self-sufficient, domestic-driven tourism projects, a move that breaks with inter-Korean cooperation.
- Amidst these changes, the general public can expect North Korea to continue investing in new tourism infrastructure, as evident in the accelerated construction of the Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a project that aims to debut in June 2025.
- In audio_1 and general news, there have been discussions about these transformations in North Korea, with some analysts interpreting these developments as Pyongyang’s rejection of unification narratives in favor of economic self-reliance.
- The demolition of symbolic structures like the Ananti Golf Resort and the Kumgang Family Reunion Center, and the construction of tourism hotspots like the Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, have raised concerns about the future of war-and-conflicts and politics between North and South Korea.
- While satire and comedy shows may find humor in these situations, it is essential to remember the severity of the situation and its potential impact on education, diplomacy, and international relations.
