Kim Jong-un Attends Wonsan-Kalma Resort Opening with Family

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and daughter Kim Ju-ae, attended the opening ceremony of the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in Gangwon Province. The ceremony took place on June 24, and the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on June 26, releasing 59 photographs from the event. In the images, Kim Jong-un is seen cutting the ceremonial ribbon with Kim Ju-ae, while Ri Sol-ju observes from a distance. This marks Ri Sol-ju's return to the public eye after a year and a half, although the photos predominantly highlight Kim Ju-ae. The young girl was seen holding her father's hand as they toured the facilities, with Ri Sol-ju and Kim Yo-jong, a senior official in the Workers' Party, trailing behind. Both women were dressed in luxury brands, with Ri Sol-ju carrying a Gucci bag and Kim Ju-ae wearing a Cartier watch.

The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area is a project that Kim Jong-un has dedicated the last decade to, from its initial development plans to its completion. The large-scale resort is designed to accommodate 20,000 domestic and international tourists. During the opening ceremony, Kim Jong-un stated, "This long-cherished project has finally become a splendid reality," calling it one of the year's major achievements.

Notably, the ceremony included a special invitation to Alexandra Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to North Korea, and his delegation, suggesting a focus on attracting Russian tourists in the future. A South Korean unification ministry official commented that the material support received from Russia since the onset of the Ukraine war may have aided in completing the Wonsan-Kalma project, although the actual activation of tourism in Wonsan remains to be seen due to infrastructure limitations.

In related news, Russian news agency TASS reported that the direct train service between Pyongyang and Moscow, which had been suspended due to COVID-19, has resumed after five years. A train that departed Pyongyang on June 17 arrived in Moscow on June 25, carrying only crew members and no passengers. North Korea had previously resumed train services between Tumangang Station and Russia's Khasan in December of last year.