After many years of delays and anticipation, North Korea’s Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort finally appears ready to welcome visitors. Satellite images taken earlier this year, highlighted by 38 North, show that the final preparations are underway. Beach seating has been arranged and colorful furniture is now in place at the water park. Construction has stopped, meeting the deadline set by Kim Jong Un in July 2023. With June now here, the resort’s opening could be imminent.
This development is significant for North Korea’s tourism sector. The country has struggled with closed borders and the economic fallout from the global pandemic, making the launch of Wonsan Kalma a potential turning point. The resort may serve as a starting point for reopening and revitalizing the tourism industry.
A Resort with a History of Delays and Changes
The Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort was first announced in 2018 as an ambitious project to transform Wonsan into a beach destination comparable to others in the region. The original plan included hotels, a water park, beaches, restaurants, and even a tram line to carry visitors along the coastline.
The initial target for the resort to open was 2019, but that timeline was overly optimistic. Construction stalled multiple times as the leadership’s priorities shifted. The pandemic caused a complete change in focus, with resources redirected toward housing and healthcare infrastructure. As a result, the resort project was effectively paused for several years.
In July 2023, Kim Jong Un made a personal inspection of the site and ordered completion by May 2024. Although that deadline was missed, North Korean media confirmed in December 2023 that the resort would open in June 2025, which is now.
What Satellite Imagery Shows
Satellite images from early 2025 show the resort site largely complete. The beach is lined with umbrellas and loungers. The water park looks bright and inviting, and the tram station houses 27 electric vehicles. These vehicles were delivered back in 2020 but remained unused until now.
With no visible signs of ongoing construction, it seems attention has shifted fully to final preparations before guests arrive. The lack of activity is a positive sign.
Tourism in 2024 and Early 2025: Gradual Reopening
Tourism has barely resumed in North Korea since the pandemic lockdowns began. In 2024, the only notable foreign visitors were a limited number of Russian tourists, but those numbers fell short of the government’s expectations.
In early 2025, cautious steps toward reopening occurred. Young Pioneer Tours was the first company to resume organized visits to the Rason Special Economic Zone, a significant development indicating a partial reopening, even though it did not last long.
The Pyongyang Marathon in April 2025 allowed a small group of foreign runners to participate under strict controls. This event was one of the few international activities open to foreigners, though it generated some controversy. Some now feel that it was behavior on this trip, organized by Koryo Tours which has now stunted tourism within the country.
Conversely, the 2025 Spring International Trade Fair, which was supposed to signal a more open policy, ended with a last-minute decision to bar foreign guests. This was a disappointment for those hoping for wider access.
What the Resort Means for North Korea’s Future
Initially, the Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort is expected to serve domestic tourists. This aligns with the government’s current focus on stimulating internal economic activity and offering leisure options to its citizens.
In the longer term, Wonsan Kalma may become a carefully managed destination for international visitors. It could represent a cautious step toward reopening North Korea to the outside world. The resort might even develop into something like a Korean Veradero, catering primarily to Chinese and Russian tourists looking for a beach holiday.
The investment in the resort’s tram system, hotels, and beaches demonstrates the regime’s commitment to building modern tourism infrastructure. While it remains to be seen how fully the resort will open to foreigners, this development offers some hope for the future of tourism in North Korea.
Kim Jong Un visiting the construction site at Wonsan Kalma(Korean Central News/Reuters: KCNA)
Will Foreigners Be Able to Visit the Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort?
That is currently the Million Dollar Question, with the answer initially at least likely being no. As things stand no major company, such as Young Pioneer Tours, or Koryo Tours have stated that they will be taking guests.
Therefore many within the industry expect it to initially be opened for domestic tourism in the DPRK, before potentially allowing Russian and, or Chinese guests.
We at Visit though are at least hopefully of one day being able to visit the Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort.