North Korea, a reclusive state, reportedly restarts construction on the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, aiming to rival popular tourist destinations like Benidorm in Spain. According to Newsweek, the envisioned complex, near the port city of Wonsan and emphasized by Kim Jong-Un, will feature water parks, hotels, and an airfield.
Originally slated for completion in 2018, the project faced delays due to the pandemic, as highlighted in the Newsweek report.
Inspired by a visit to Spain’s Costa Blanca, North Korean officials were reportedly captivated and impressed, prompting the initiative to establish a tourist destination, as reported by Metro.
Moreover, it was reported earlier this year that the site, which is now being developed as the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, was occupied by the country’s homeless population known as ‘kkotjebi.’ A report from North Korean newspaper Daily NK revealed that in February, the area was plagued by human waste and soot from fires.
Despite the initial challenges, Kim Jong-Un envisions significant development for the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, with construction potentially concluding by 2025.
However, the prospects of international tourism to the zone remain uncertain due to prevailing travel bans and security advisories. Before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea attracted thousands of tourists, primarily from China. Nevertheless, the country still enforces border restrictions, posing potential impediments to travel.
“The North Korean government continues to temporarily suspend all passenger routes into and out of North Korea. The British Embassy in Pyongyang is temporarily closed due to these restrictions. This means you cannot get consular support from within North Korea,” stated the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) on its website.