A coastal resort in North Korea, the Wonsan Kalma resort, offers a picturesque setting reminiscent of popular European holiday destinations. Despite its inviting appearance with colorful waterslides and sandy beaches, this resort is not a typical vacation spot for British travelers. The resort, initiated by Kim Jong Un in 2025 to boost tourism, currently welcomes mainly domestic visitors and a limited number of international tourists from Russia under strict booking regulations and mandatory guided tours.
Located in Wonsan, a city known for its beautiful beaches, the resort was part of an ambitious plan announced by Kim Jong Un in 2018 to develop a luxurious tourist zone. After facing delays due to a typhoon in 2020, the resort finally opened last summer, accommodating up to 20,000 tourists. Despite limited information available, images from local media show Kim Jong Un inaugurating the resort amid a grand fireworks display.
Anastasia Samsonova, a Russian visitor, shared her experiences at the resort with the BBC, highlighting the controlled nature of her trip, strict dress codes, and photography restrictions. She praised the resort’s cleanliness and mentioned the affordable prices of meals and souvenirs. While the resort’s details remain scarce, glimpses of its amenities, including a waterpark and beach activities, have been showcased in government-released photos.
The construction of the resort faced criticism from human rights organizations due to concerns about labor practices and the lack of transparency. Despite promotional efforts to attract tourists, the resort’s secluded location and controlled environment make it an unlikely destination for international travelers, especially from countries like the UK.