Wonsan-Kalma Luxury Beach Resort North Korea: The Surreal Gateway to the Hermit Kingdom’s Tourism Future

3. Current Status of Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort

3.1. Tourism and Visitor Demographics

Although the resort’s infrastructure is largely complete, it remains underutilized for international tourism. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with ongoing international sanctions, has severely limited foreign visitors.

Most of the tourists present are North Korean citizens or domestic travelers on guided tours organized by the state. These tours often include visits to the beach, water parks, and cultural sites within the resort.

3.2. Ghost Town of the South Korean Dream

Photos and reports indicate that many of the water slides, hotels, and leisure facilities are unused, giving the area an eerie, ghost-town appearance. The resort’s vast, empty beaches and unoccupied hotel rooms highlight the gap between North Korea’s ambitions and its current realities.

3.3. Promotional Efforts and State Propaganda

Despite the lack of foreign tourists, North Korea actively promotes Wonsan-Kalma through state-run media, featuring staged tours, photos, and videos of domestic visitors enjoying the facilities. The government aims to project an image of economic progress and modern leisure.

July 8, 2025 | 4:54 pm