North Korea's Wonsan-Kalma Resort Suspends Foreign Tourist Access

North Korea's newly opened Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone is currently not accepting foreign tourists, as reported by the state-run Korean Central Television on July 16. The resort, which began operations on July 1, aims to attract over one million visitors annually, primarily from China and Russia. The development of the resort, located on the Wonsan Kalma Peninsula, was initiated in 2019 with a target completion date of April 2020. However, construction faced delays due to international sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a completion ceremony held on June 24, 2025.

Initially, it was announced that the resort would open to domestic tourists, but the sudden change in policy regarding foreign visitors has not been explained. Reports indicated that some Russian tourists had already booked trips to the resort, with at least 12 individuals reserving a travel package that departed on July 7. Russian travel agencies are also preparing additional trips for August.

During a meeting on July 12, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Wonsan, which is seen as a strategic move to promote the resort and attract more Russian tourists. Lavrov assured that efforts would be made to enhance travel conditions, including flight arrangements, to increase tourist numbers.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, described the Wonsan-Kalma resort as a 'fantastic vacation spot' with excellent facilities. However, some Russian journalists accompanying Lavrov noted that the picturesque scenes of the area appeared staged, suggesting that local residents were mobilized for the event.

Concerns have been raised about the high cost of tourism in the area, which may deter foreign visitors. According to the BBC, a week-long trip to North Korea, including three days at the Wonsan-Kalma resort, costs around $1,800 (approximately 2.5 million KRW), significantly higher than the average monthly salary for Russian workers. This may have prompted North Korea to reconsider its approach to foreign tourism after just over two weeks of operation.