Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area

Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area
원산갈마해안관광지구
Tourist zone
Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area is located in North Korea
Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area
Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area
Location within North Korea
Coordinates: 39°10′14″N 127°29′22″E / 39.170604°N 127.489370°E / 39.170604; 127.489370
CountryNorth Korea
ProvinceKangwon Province
CityWonsan
Announced2025
 Designed capacity of approximately 20,000 visitors
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (Pyongyang Time)

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area (Korean: 원산갈마해안관광지구) is a seaside resort in Wonsan, North Korea. It was opened to tourists in July 2025.[1] The resort is built along Myongsasimni Beach, a sandy coastline stretching roughly four kilometres along the Kalma Peninsula.[2] The project was first announced by Kim Jong Un in 2018 as part of efforts by the North Korean government to expand tourism in North Korea. The complex includes hotels, entertainment facilities, and transport infrastructure designed to accommodate up to 20,000 visitors.[3] Although the resort was opened to visitors in July 2025, foreign tourism was suspended shortly after opening, while domestic tourists continued to visit.[4]

History

Prior to the development of the resort, parts of the coastal area near Wonsan had been used for military activities, including ballistic missile tests conducted by North Korea[2] and multi-rounds coastal artillery live fire exercise.[5]

In January 2018, Kim Jong Un mentioned plans to develop the coastal area adjacent to Kalma Airfield into a resort area in his New Year's address.[6]

Construction began in January 2018 on a recreational area on the shore of the Sea of Japan in Wonsan, the capital of Kangwon Province.[7] The opening was initially scheduled for October 2019, but was postponed first due to construction delays, then due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2024, North Korean authorities announced that the opening, scheduled for May 2025, would be postponed to June 2025.[7] The KCNA later released photographs showing Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae inspecting the resort’s facilities ahead of its planned opening.[2]

On June 24, 2025, a grand opening ceremony for the tourist complex was held with the participation of North Korean President Kim Jong Un and Alexandr Matsegora, the Russian Ambassador to North Korea and the embassy staff.[8][9] On July 1, the resort opened to visitors.[10] On July 18, 2025, the authorities announced that it would no longer accept foreign tourists.[10][4] In August 2025, Russian tour operators began advertising tours to the Wonsan Kalma resort.[11][12]

Diplomatic visits

In July 2025, the resort was chosen as the location for meetings between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kim Jong Un.[13]

In February 2026, Chinese ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun led a delegation to the resort, raising hopes that Chinese tourists will be able to visit the zone, which remains closed to most foreign travelers.[14][15] In July 2026, a Chinese delegation led by Wang Huning, the chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited the resort as part of a visit to North Korea. According to the Korean Central News Agency, they received a briefing about the area's service capacity, operational status and future development plans, as well as "taking in panoramic views" of the beach.[16]

Facilities

The resort is located along Myongsasimni Beach, a sandy coastline stretching roughly four kilometres along the Kalma Peninsula.[17]

Myongsasimni Beach

There are six large hotels, 37 motels (also known as ryeogwan), and ten large unnamed buildings which serves as residential facilities. [18] An analysis by NK News found that only some of the motels were operational, while most of the facilities remained unused.[19] The resort is designed to accommodate 20,000 people.[3]

Hotels and accommodation

Tongymyong Hotel, Wonsan

Seventeen luxury hotels were planned for the resort, of which six had been completed by 2025.[19][20] Official tourism maps published in 2025 shows that the resort includes several named hotels as well as several smaller accommodation facilities.[21] In addition to the main hotels, the resort contains a number of motels (ryeogwan), which serve as lower-cost lodging options.[13][18]

Entertainment

Entertainment facilities include the Myongsasimni Theatre, a newly built performance venue located within the resort. The venue is designed to host performances, art troupes, and various events for tourists, including international festivals.[22]

The complex also includes the Myongsasimni Water Park, a luxury water park. [18] The main structure of the park is complete but lacks features such as water slides. The water park includes a number of pools and a lazy river water ride.[23] The resort also features the Mokran Recreation Centre, which is part of a leisure complex for visitors to the coastal area.[18][24]

The resort has sightseeing electric carts. These tourist cars were locally designed and manufactured.[25]

Transport infrastructure

Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area has its own dedicated railway infrastructure, which has been upgraded to support the new, large-scale resort.[26] The railway line is on the Kangwon Line of the Korean State Railway.[27]

The Wonsan Tram is a tourist tram that was opened on 26 June 2025. It consists of a single-track tramway that runs 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi).[28] It was built to connect different parts of the resort.[29]

The resort is served by several trolleybuses to facilitate access for visitors to the beach resort area.[30] In 2020, North Korean state media reported on the expansion of the trolleybus network to support the massive Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area.[30] New routes were established to link key areas, including the Kalma Peninsula. As of late 2020, new routes were planned connecting to Kalma, Myongsasipri, and Songdowon, utilizing a depot near Wonsan Station.[30][1]

Besides tram networks, long-distance intercity railways are also expected to enter service soon, with the new Kalma Tourist Railway Station will serve as the primary intercity and international rail transportation gateway to the resort zone. Constructed in just one year on the electrified Kangwon Line, the station transformed the area's legacy infrastructure from a predominantly industrial freight line into a modern passenger hub complete with dedicated tourist amenities, retail spaces, and lounges. The North Korean government intends for the facility to optimise travel logistics and improve convenience for domestic vacationers and international tour groups. Following a field guidance conducted by Kim Jong Un on 24 June 2026, the state mandated the composition of specialised trains designated exclusively for tourists. It declared the project a national benchmark for the architectural and scientific modernisation of provincial railway stations nationwide.[31]

Kalma Airport

The resort is served by Kalma Airport (IATA: WOS, ICAO: ZKWS). Air Koryo connects Wonsan to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport. A new international terminal was built in 2015.[32] It is reported that the airport cost around $200 million to build, with most of the work being carried out by the military.[33]

Significance

The resort forms part of a broader effort by the North Korean government to develop the country's coastal regions into a major tourism hub on the country's east coast.[34][35]

Reception

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area has been described by the state media as a "national treasure-level tourism city".[36] The state media also mentioned that Kim Jong Un personally cut the ribbon of the new resort.[36][37] During the opening, North Korean officials stated that they expected tourists from Russia to visit the resort.[38]

The South Korean media described the new tourist area as North Korea's Waikiki.[39]

Analysts have described the resort as part of North Korea’s broader strategy to expand tourism and generate foreign currency, particularly by attracting visitors from Russia and China, following years of UN sanctions.[40] Reports after the resort’s opening also indicated that parts of the resort were not fully operational.[19]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Wonsan". transphoto.org. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  2. 1 2 3 "'One single, giant complex': North Korea to open 'tourist city' once taken over by homeless". ABC News. 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  3. 1 2 "North Korea seaside resort bans foreigners weeks after opening". www.bbc.com. 2025-07-18. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  4. 1 2 AP (2025-07-18). "North Korea bans foreign tourists to newly opened Wonsan-Kalma beach resort". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  5. ↑ "KCTV - North Korea Full Artillery Salvos Show Of Force Live Firing [480p]". YouTube (in Korean). 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  6. ↑ 北朝鮮｢巨大リゾート計画｣は"非常識"の塊だ. 東洋経済オンライン (in Japanese). 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. 1 2 Zwirko, Colin (2024-12-31). "North Korea delays opening of giant Wonsan Kalma resort again to June 2025 | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  8. ↑ "North Korea to open beach resort as Kim Jong Un bets on tourism". www.bbc.com. 2025-06-26. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  9. ↑ Park, Ju-min (26 June 2025). "North Korea opens landmark coastal Wonsan tourist zone". Reuters.
  10. 1 2 "North Korea opens massive beach resort, eyes Russian tourists". France 24. 2025-07-02. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  11. ↑ "North Korea's Benidorm-style resort welcomes first Russian tourists". www.bbc.com. 2025-07-12. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  12. ↑ "Russian agency begins attracting tourists to N. Korea's new beach resort". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2025-08-09. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  13. 1 2 Makowsky, Iliana Ragnone, Martyn Williams, Peter (2025-07-16). "Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort Hosts a High-Level Visit - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38 North. Retrieved 2026-02-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ jifanli (2026-02-16). "Chinese envoy visits North Korea's Wonsan Kalma resort, raises hopes for tourism | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  15. ↑ "Chinese ambassador to North visits tourism zone for Lunar New Year". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2026-02-15. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  16. ↑ Park, Joon Ha (18 July 2026). "China's top strategist tours DPRK's Wonsan resort before returning to Beijing". NK News. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Myongsasimni Beach". Uri Tours. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Wonsan Coastal Tourist Area" (PDF).
  19. 1 2 3 Zwirko, Colin (2025-07-03). "Most hotels still unfinished at North Korea's new beach resort despite opening | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ 竹内智子 (2025-07-04). 金正恩"自慢のリゾート"、その実態は宣伝用ハリボテ？17棟中わずか6棟が完成、人影のないビーチが物語る現実. 江南タイムズ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ North (14 January 2021). "The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area". 38 North | DPRK Reference Portal.
  22. ↑ antonsokolin (2025-07-17). "How North Korea's Wonsan Kalma mega-resort wowed its first Russian guests | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  23. ↑ Ragnone, Martyn Williams, Peter Makowsky, Iliana (2024-08-14). "Theater Demolished as Wonsan-Kalma Tourist Zone Project Enters Final Phase - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38 North. Retrieved 2026-03-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ "North Korea opens landmark coastal Wonsan tourist zone". CNA. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  25. ↑ Zwirko, Colin (2020-05-13). "Pyongyang to send tourist electric carts to delayed Wonsan-Kalma resort | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  26. ↑ "North Korea opens beach resort tramway". www.mainspring.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  27. ↑ "UrbanRail.Net > Asia > North Korea > Wonsan Tramway". www.urbanrail.net. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  28. ↑ "North Korea launches Open-Air Tourist Tram Line at Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Resort | Metro Rail Today". Metro Rail Today: Gateway to Rail & Metro Industry. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  29. ↑ "DPRK launches open-air tourist trams". ROLLINGSTOCK. 2025-08-22. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
  30. 1 2 3 Zwirko, Colin (2020-12-29). "North Korea touts new electric trolleybuses ahead of massive beach resort debut | NK News". NK News - North Korea News. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  31. ↑ "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Gives Field Guidance at Newly-built Facilities in Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area". KCNA.kp. 2026-06-26. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  32. ↑ antonsokolin (2017-10-25). "Two years on, still no int'l flight activity at North Korea's Kalma airport". NK PRO. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  33. ↑ "Wonsan Airport nears completion, with potential for impact on tourism and economy | NK News - North Korea News". NK News - North Korea News. 2015-07-30. Archived from the original on 2019-06-16. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  34. ↑ "North Korea opens massive beach resort to boost tourism". dw.com. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  35. ↑ "A new era for north korean tourism".
  36. 1 2 Adkin, Mike Valerio, Yoonjung Seo, Gawon Bae, Ross (2025-06-27). "North Korea just opened a beach resort for 20,000 people. But who will visit?". CNN. Retrieved 2026-02-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ↑ McCurry, Justin (2025-06-26). "Kim Jong-un hails new North Korean beach resort as one of country's 'greatest feats' this year". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  38. ↑ Times, The Moscow (2025-06-26). "North Korea Targets Russian Tourists with New Beach Resort". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2026-04-17.
  39. ↑ France-Presse, Agence (2025-07-20). "North Korea bans foreigners from 'world class' beach resort weeks after opening". India Today. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  40. ↑ Hyun-bin, Kim (2025-06-27). "N. Korea unveils grand beach resort as it seeks to exploit sanctions loophole - The Korea Times". www.koreatimes.co.kr. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
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