North Korea opens massive beach resort, rolls out red carpet for Russians

Sign up now: Get STs newsletters delivered to your inbox

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area can accommodate nearly 20,000 people.

PHOTO: EPA

SEOUL – North Korea opened a massive resort area on its east coast, state media said on July 2, with the tourism pet project of leader Kim Jong Un reportedly set to welcome Russian guests later in July.

Dubbed “North Korea’s Waikiki” by South Korean media, the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area can accommodate nearly 20,000 people, according to Pyongyang, which previously described it as “a world-class cultural resort”.

Mr Kim showed a keen interest in developing North Korea’s tourism industry during his early years in power, analysts have said, and the coastal resort area was a particular focus.

The tourist zone opened to domestic visitors on July 1, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, publishing images of tourists in colourful swimsuits enjoying the beach.

North Koreans of all ages from across the country flocked to the site this week “filled with joy at experiencing a new level of civilisation”, KCNA reported.

The visitors were “astonished by the grandeur and splendor of the tourist city, where more than 400… artistically designed buildings lined the white sandy beach in ideal harmony”, it added.

According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, a group of Russian tourists

is set to visit the zone

South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which manages relations with the North, said the site’s operations are “expected to gradually expand”, including to Russian tourists.

Mr Kim said last week the construction of the site would go down as “one of the