North Korea Bars Foreign Tourists from Newly Opened Beach Resort

Strategic Insights -

North Korea has abruptly halted foreign access to its newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, just weeks after promoting it as a "world-class tourist and cultural destination". The decision comes despite a visit from Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, who vowed to help boost tourism in North Korea. The resort, which was years in the making and had been delayed by international sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic, opened on June 24 and had begun attracting Russian tourists.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a massive resort development on North Korea's east coast, has been barred from foreign tourists just weeks after its opening.
  • The decision to restrict foreign access was made without explanation, according to Bloomberg.
  • The resort, which was designed to rival global beach destinations, was initially set to open on April 15, 2019, but was delayed due to international sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • The resort was open to domestic visitors from across the country, including Pyongyang and North Hamgyong province, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
  • The resort stretches across 4km of coastline and can host up to 20,000 visitors, according to North Korean state media.
  • The resort was visited by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on July 12, who praised it as a "fantastic holiday destination".
  • A North Korean tourism brochure lists 43 hotels lining the beachfront, alongside guesthouses on a man-made lake and campgrounds catering to different traveller types.
  • Tourism is a crucial source of income for the sanctions-stricken Kim regime, but foreign tourists are closely monitored and typically confined to approved accommodations and heavily restricted in their movements.
  • Analysts suggest the site may still be undergoing final development or improvements.

Statistics:

  • The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area can accommodate up to 20,000 visitors, according to Pyongyang.
  • The resort stretches across 4km of coastline.
  • The resort has 43 hotels lining the beachfront, according to a North Korean tourism brochure.
  • North Korea admitted only a limited number of Russian visitors since loosening its pandemic border controls.
  • The resort was initially set to open on April 15, 2019, but was delayed due to international sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sources:

  • "North Korea bars foreign tourists from new resort hours after Russia's Lavrov visits", Bloomberg, 2025
  • "North Korea Temporarily Bans Foreign Visitors from Tourist Area", Korea JoongAng Daily, 2025
  • "North Korea's Wonsan-Kalma resort has a perfect pool and a man-made lake", BBC, 2025
  • "North Korea opens massive beach resort, but it's not yet open to foreigners", CNN, 2025
  • "North Korea's Kalma train station unveiled to 'ensure high level of convenience' for tourists", KCNA, 2025
  • "North Korea's Wonsan-Kalma resort is open to locals, but Russians may be next", 38 North, 2025
  • "North Korea stages fake scene during Russian foreign minister's visit", Kommersant, 2025