North Korea Revokes Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort

In a surprising turn of events, North Korea has declared that its newly established Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone will not accommodate foreign visitors, abruptly reversing its earlier marketing as a global attraction. Opened on July 1, this ambitious project intended to revitalize tourism under Kim Jong Un's vision. Initially, the 4km-long resort, located along the eastern coast and featuring hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and a water park, had welcomed its first Russian tourists just last week, coinciding with a high-profile meeting between Kim and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. However, a recent announcement on the government's tourism site marked a temporary ban on foreign visitors. While the region is historically significant, housing missile facilities and elite holiday villas, human rights organizations have criticized labor practices on the site, which included reports of worker mistreatment during construction. Despite sporadic tourism from countries like Russia and Western nations in the past year, North Korea's fluctuating stance on foreign travel remains uncertain.

In recent developments, Russia plans to initiate direct flights to Pyongyang, further complicating the outlook of the seaside attraction. This latest decision showcases North Korea's continuing emphasis on tight control over its borders and tourism strategies, raising questions about the future of international engagement in the country.