What's happened
North Korea has inaugurated the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a major project aimed at boosting tourism and revitalizing its economy. The resort can accommodate nearly 20,000 guests and features various recreational activities. However, the future of international tourism remains uncertain due to ongoing border restrictions.
What's behind the headline?
Economic Implications
- The Wonsan-Kalma resort is a significant step in Kim Jong Un's efforts to develop tourism as a means to improve North Korea's struggling economy.
- Despite the opening, the lack of international tourists, particularly from China, poses a challenge to the resort's success.
Domestic Focus
- The initial influx of North Korean visitors highlights the regime's focus on domestic tourism while international travel remains restricted.
- State media's portrayal of the resort's opening emphasizes national pride and the government's commitment to tourism development.
Future Prospects
- The success of the Wonsan-Kalma resort will depend on North Korea's ability to navigate international relations and reopen to foreign tourists.
- The ongoing military cooperation with Russia may influence the flow of Russian tourists, but the numbers remain insufficient to significantly impact the economy.
What the papers say
According to AP News, the Wonsan-Kalma area began service on July 1, attracting many North Koreans to its water park and recreational facilities. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong Un hailed the resort's opening as a major success, stating it represents a proud step towards realizing the government's tourism policy. However, the prospects for international tourism remain unclear, as the country has not fully lifted travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic. The Independent echoed these sentiments, noting that while the resort is a significant development, the lack of foreign tourists, particularly from China, poses a challenge. The NY Post highlighted that North Korea has begun accepting Russian tourists, but the numbers are too low to revive the tourism sector significantly. Overall, while the Wonsan-Kalma resort is a notable achievement, its long-term viability hinges on the country's ability to reopen to international visitors.
How we got here
The Wonsan-Kalma resort is part of Kim Jong Un's broader strategy to enhance North Korea's tourism sector, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has gradually reopened its borders since 2022 but has yet to fully resume international tourism.
Go deeper
- What are the features of the Wonsan-Kalma resort?
- How has North Korea's tourism changed since the pandemic?
- What are the prospects for international tourists in North Korea?
Common question
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What is the significance of the Wonsan-Kalma Resort for North Korea's economy?
The Wonsan-Kalma Resort marks a pivotal development in North Korea's efforts to revitalize its economy through tourism. As the country seeks to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this resort aims to attract both domestic and international visitors. But what does this mean for North Korea's economic future? Here are some common questions about the resort and its implications for tourism in the country.
More on these topics
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in