North Korea bans foreign tourists from mega beach resort

North Korea bans foreign tourists from a newly opened mega beach resort, impacting its tourism ambitions.

North Korea halts foreign tourist entry to new beach resort

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea has banned foreign tourists from entering its new mega beach resort, the Wonsan-Kalma complex. The DPR Korea Tour website announced this decision but did not provide reasons or a timeline. The resort, which opened to domestic visitors on July 1 and briefly accommodated a group of Russian tourists, is viewed as a significant success by Kim Jong Un. Following recent talks between Kim and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, experts speculate that the ban may result from concerns over negative international perceptions connected to a Russian journalist's remarks regarding the authenticity of North Korean visitors. Further, analysts indicate that North Korea's tight budget may compel it to reconsider its foreign tourist policies.

This ban on foreign tourists reveals North Korea's struggle between promoting tourism and managing international perceptions. The recent focus on Russian cooperation raises questions about the long-term viability of these tourism strategies. While the ban allows North Korea to control the narrative, it comes at a cost, threatening potential revenue from foreign visitors. Without foreign currency from tourists, the ambitious Wonsan-Kalma project risks financial failure, reflecting deeper issues of economic sustainability in a country already facing significant challenges. If North Korea fails to attract visitors, its grand tourism dreams might remain just that—dreams.

Highlights

The future of North Korea's tourism sector remains uncertain amid ongoing restrictions.