North Korea’s new seaside resort in Wonsan has been shut down to foreigners just weeks after its grand opening on July 1. The move comes despite efforts by Russian authorities to promote the destination as a tourist attraction.
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone was marketed as a key part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s plans to boost tourism, with Russia and other countries among those being targeted as customers. However, a notice on North Korea’s official tourism website states that foreigners are now “temporarily” barred from visiting.
The decision is a surprise given the country’s recent efforts to reopen its borders to tourists. Last year, North Korea allowed Russian visitors after a hiatus due to the pandemic, and in February, it also welcomed tourists from the West, including Australia, France, Germany, and the UK. However, tourism was abruptly halted weeks later without explanation.
The Wonsan resort has been developed with an investment of billions of dollars and features hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, a water park, and other amenities along its 4km beachfront. It is expected to have a capacity for around 20,000 people. Human rights groups had previously raised concerns about the treatment of workers involved in the construction project, citing reports of long hours, harsh conditions, and inadequate compensation.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07dr52p21mo