North Korea’s coastal Wonsan-Kalma area boasts gleaming hotels and empty beaches, offering a rare glimpse into the country’s tourism industry. The region, intended as a prime tourist destination by leader Kim Jong Un, includes luxurious accommodations like the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Resort. Despite the lavish infrastructure, visitors are notably absent, painting a stark contrast against the backdrop of deserted beaches along the East Sea.

The Wonsan-Kalma project, initiated in 2018, aimed to bolster North Korea’s tourism sector and attract foreign visitors. However, the resort’s current state raises questions about its viability and the regime’s ability to draw tourists. A White House official commented on the situation, stating, “The empty beaches and hotels in Wonsan-Kalma highlight the challenges North Korea faces in promoting its tourism industry on a global scale.”

Historically, North Korea has faced limitations in attracting international tourists due to its closed-off nature and geopolitical tensions. The stark emptiness of the Wonsan-Kalma resort underscores the broader challenges the country encounters in reviving its tourism sector. While the infrastructure appears impressive, the lack of visitors raises doubts about the success of the project and the regime’s capacity to draw tourists to its shores.

Despite North Korea’s efforts to showcase Wonsan-Kalma as a premier tourist destination, the reality of deserted beaches and vacant hotels presents a striking image. The resort’s current state not only reflects the broader challenges facing North Korea’s tourism ambitions but also raises questions about the regime’s ability to engage with the international community in the realm of tourism. As the gleaming hotels stand empty against the backdrop of unpopulated beaches, the future of North Korea’s seaside resort remains uncertain.