North Korea’s newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area is making headlines once again—but this time, for an unexpected reason. The North Korea Wonsan beach resort, a key pet project of leader Kim Jong Un, has suddenly closed its gates to foreign tourists. This decision comes only days after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit, where he pledged increased Russian tourism to the site.
This sudden policy reversal has raised serious questions about Pyongyang’s true intentions, the unfinished status of the project, and the implicatons for North Korea’s struggling economy.
A Resort for the Elite, Now Empty Again
Launched in July 2025, the Wonsan Kalma resort w promoted as a symbol of North Korea’s ambition to modernize its tourism sector and open up economically—at least to select allies. With about 7,000 luxury hotel rooms, private beachfront villas, an outdoor water park, and even a private airport, this resort seemed poised to become a major tourism destination, especially for Russians.But now, North Korea’s National Tourism Administration has abruptly announced that the beach resort is “temporarily not accepting foreign guests.” No reasons were provided, but experts believe the situation reflects deeper infrastructural and political issues.
Why the Sudden Closure? Analysts Suspect Incomplete Construction
The 38 North program at the Stimson Center analyzed recent satellite imagery and observed that parts of the resort still appear unfinished. For example, a massive hotel near the Kalmaegi Hotel showed no signs of activity, and the rooftop swimming pool remains dry. These findings suggest the resort may have been opened for show during Lavrov’s visit, but isn’t yet fully operational.
This contradicts state media reports, which painted a rosy picture of a fully functional luxury escape for foreign tourists—particularly Russians.
Lavrov’s Visit and Russia-North Korea Tourism Ties
Lavrov’s visit was more than ceremonial. Meeting Kim Jong Un aboard his private yacht, the Russian Foreign Minister pledged that Russia will “do everything” to increase the flow of Russian tourists to the Wonsan area. The trip was part of growing military and economic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, especially amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Just weeks earlier, North Korea had agreed to send an additional 6,000 military workers to the Kursk region of Russia—indicating a deepening alliance.
So, why shut the doors now? Some believe that the suspension of tourism may be temporary and politically motivated, allowing North Korea to buy more time to complete unfinished construction or even screen potential guests for political loyalty.
Tourism: A Crucial Revenue Stream for Sanctioned North Korea
North Korea remains under heavy international sanctions, limiting its trade and revenue sources. Tourism, particularly from China and Russia, is one of its few remaining income streams. The COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down international arrivals for years. Although Russia has resumed a small trickle of inbound tourists, restrictions are still tight.
Foreign tourists are heavily monitored, kept in designated areas, and rarely permitted to interact freely with locals. The Wonsan resort was designed to align with this control mechanism—offering luxury while maintaining political surveillance.
Trump’s Real Estate Dreams: ‘Wouldn’t That Make a Great Condo?’
The Wonsan area has long held fascination not just for Kim, but also foreign leaders. During the 2018 U.S.–North Korea summit, then-president Donald Trump famously remarked that North Korea had “great beaches” and suggested it could be developed into a condo paradise—if only Kim agreed to denuclearize.
While the real estate diplomacy led to some historic photo-ops, it failed to slow North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Since then, U.S.–North Korea talks have stalled, and Pyongyang has turned increasingly toward Russia and China.
What Happens Next?
Although no official reopening date has been announced, it’s likely that the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area will resume foreign operations once:
- The construction is fully completed.
- A vetted tourist protocol is finalized, especially for Russian visitors.
- North Korea ensures the resort’s activities align with national security concerns.
Until then, the resort remains an expensive, empty symbol of unfulfilled ambition—a reminder of how quickly North Korea’s tourism door can swing open, and slam shut.
Zoho Introduces Zia LLM and No-Code AI Agents to Power Business Automation