North Korea's New Resort Draws First Russian Tourists Amid Human Rights Concerns

North Korea’s Wonsan Kalma resort, opened by Kim Jong Un, hosts its inaugural group of Russian tourists this week amidst allegations of human rights violations related to its construction. Reports suggest that the rapid development utilized "shock brigades" subjected to harsh working conditions. Despite aiming to attract a million visitors, experts question the allure of the resort compared to other international destinations.

North Korea has recently opened its new beach resort, Wonsan Kalma, welcoming its first group of Russian tourists this week. The extravagant resort has drawn criticism from human rights groups for the allegedly brutal conditions faced by construction workers during its development, including reports of forced labor.

Kim Jong Un inaugurated the Wonsan Kalma resort last month, promoting it as a "world-class tourist and cultural destination." However, the specifics of its construction remain largely hidden from the world. Investigations using satellite images, planning documents, and insider information from defectors have raised alarms about potential human rights abuses in connection with the construction workforce.

The history of Wonsan as a favored vacation spot for North Korea's elite is echoed in the new resort’s design, inspired partly by the Spanish resort of Benidorm. Beginning in 2017, a North Korean delegation visited Spain, taking extensive notes on various tourism features, including high-rise hotels and entertainment areas, paving the way for the resort's ambitious construction plan.

Although initial satellite imagery showed rapid progression on the resort's development – with an estimated 80% completed by late 2018 – the project faced delays until a meeting in mid-2024 between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which renewed focus on promoting the resort as a retreat for Russian citizens.

The associated human costs, particularly the treatment of workers, have sparked international concern. Reports suggest that construction relied upon "shock brigades," which demand extreme labor from workers, often with dire consequences. Former insiders describe a relentless pressure to complete tasks regardless of the toll on workers’ health and well-being. For example, dismissals of fatalities and neglect of safety regulations raise serious ethical questions about the resort’s development.

As North Korea attempts to open its doors to foreign tourism, Wonsan Kalma is envisioned as a lifeline for the country’s struggling economy and a means to tighten ties with Russia, especially after Pyongyang's military support amid the conflict in Ukraine.

However, initial responses from potential tourists are lukewarm. While early promotional efforts have yielded some bookings from Russian travel agencies, experts suggest that competing destinations like Turkey and Thailand offer much more attractive options. With a tour package costing approximately $1,800 for Russian visitors, Wonsan Kalma will need to position itself effectively amid these alternatives if it aims to achieve its ambitious goal of attracting over a million tourists annually.