North Korea's New Beach Resort: A Glimpse into a Controlled Paradise

North Korea has unveiled a lavish beach resort, but don't expect it to welcome the world anytime soon. The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, located on the eastern coast, boasts around 400 buildings, including high-rise hotels and villas, catering to about 20, 000 guests. The complex also features a water park, gym, concert hall, and more. This project is part of Kim Jong Un's vision to boost North Korea's economy through tourism. However, the country's strict isolation and military focus have hindered this ambition. The resort, which took nearly a decade to build, finally opened its doors to domestic tourists this week. But will foreign tourists follow? It's unlikely. North Korea has been cautious about allowing outsiders in, even before the pandemic. Recently, a small group of Western tourists was permitted entry, but the country abruptly closed its borders again after just three weeks. Russians might be the first foreign visitors to the new resort. North Korea has been strengthening ties with Russia, and a Russian ambassador was invited to the resort's completion ceremony. However, the number of Russian tourists is minimal compared to the hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists who used to visit annually. Experts remain skeptical about North Korea's tourism ambitions. Poor infrastructure, heavy restrictions on foreign visitors, and geopolitical instability are significant hurdles. Moreover, around 60% of North Koreans live in poverty, raising questions about who will benefit from this luxury resort. Despite these challenges, Kim Jong Un is optimistic. He praised North Korea's "unique political stability" and plans to build more large tourist resorts based on the Kalma project's success. Only time will tell if this vision becomes a reality.