North Korea opens the resort on the beach like Kim Jong Uh, refers to tourism

North Korea opens a beach resort, which its leader Kim Jong Un hopes to enhance tourism in secret communist mode, state media reports.

Vanu Kalma on the east coast will open for home tourists on July 1, six years after it must be completed. It is unclear if it will welcome foreigners.

Kim grew into luxury in Vonsan, where many elites of the country have private villas, and tries to convert the city where the missile tests were once conducted.

KCNA state media claims that the resort can accommodate up to 20,000 visitors, occupying 4 km (2.5 miles) beach, with hotels, restaurants, malls and water parks – none of which can be checked.

For decades for decades for decades, North Korea has been among the poorest countries in the world. It pours most of its resources into its military, monuments and landmarks – often in Pyongyang – decorating the image and cult of the Kim family, which has ruled the country since 1948.

Some observers say this is an easy way for Pyongyang to make money. While foreign tourists are allowed, tourist groups are largely coming from China and Russia, the countries with which Pyongyang has long been maintaining friendships.

“I hoped that this could signal the broader opening of international tourism, but unfortunately it is still not the case,” says BBC Rowan Beard, co-founder of young pioneer tours.

Tourism from the border took a blow during the COVID pandemic, but the country closed its borders in early 2020. This did not scale restrictions until the mid -2023 and greeted Russian visitors a year later.

In February, it opened more western visitors when tourists from the UK, France, Germany and Australia drove across the border from China. It sharply stopped Tourism in a few weeks Not to mention why.

Some tourist agencies are skeptical of the Vonsana’s appeal to foreigners. This “is unlikely to be the main draw for most Western tourists,” says Mr. Bard.

“Key sites, such as Pyongyang, DMZ and other hard or communist landmarks, will still be the main points for international visitors, if wider tourism resume.”

However, Elliott Davis, Director of the URI TOURS, says North Korea has a “niche appeal” for travelers involved in non -traditional trends.

“It intrigues something familiar as a beach resort that was formed in the unique cultural context of North Korea.”

KCNA called the development of Vonsan as “a great, favorable event of the whole country” and called it a “prelude to a new era” in tourism.

Initially, it was planned to open in October 2019, but faced the construction delay before the pandemic struck.

Kim was present at the ceremony to celebrate his completion on June 24, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ane and the wife of Ri Sol Jen. This was noted by the first public performance of Ri after the New Year’s day.

Russian Ambassador Alyaksandr Matiegora and embassy staff also participated.

Some tour operators expect the resort to open for Russian tourists who are currently the only foreign nationals who are allowing some parts of the country.

Opening the resort comes Because North Korea and Russia strengthened their partnership in the face of sanctions from the west.

North Korea has He sent troops to fight for Russia in a invasion of Ukraine.

On Thursday, both countries also opened a direct passenger train between their capitals after a five-year suspension due to a pandemic.