North Korea opens large-scale tourist complex with capacity for 20,000 people

(GLO)- On June 26, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korea has just inaugurated a large-scale tourist area on the East coast that leader Kim Jong-un has promoted for many years.

Leader Kim Jong-un expressed “great satisfaction” at the inauguration of the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area, which can accommodate about 20,000 visitors and expects it to become a world- class resort. Mr. Kim affirmed that in the coming time, North Korea will quickly build more large-scale tourist areas.

Mr. Kim Jong-un at the event celebrating the inauguration of the Wonsan Kalma tourist area. Photo: REUTERS

Kim Jong-un has embarked on a multibillion-dollar tourism project to redevelop the coastal city of Wonsan, a popular vacation spot for North Koreans. But while tourism is one of North Korea’s few sources of foreign currency not subject to UN sanctions, the country has yet to secure a major foreign partner for the Wonsan project.

According to KCNA, the tourist area will open to domestic visitors from July 1, but the news report does not mention foreign visitors.

North Korea closed its borders in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic spread but has begun to gradually ease restrictions since 2023. It has allowed Russian tour groups to enter, but some parts of the country remain closed to regular tourism. On April 6, North Korea held a marathon event for the first time in six years, with foreign runners participating.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/trieu-tien-khanh-thanh-khu-du-lich-quy-mo-lon-co-suc-chua-20000-nguoi-post329892.html