At first glance, the scenes captured in the photographs resemble the coastlines of Spain, Turkey, or Greece. Colorful slides, sun loungers, and sandy beaches all seem familiar. However, the location of these images is far from the usual holiday routes. Standing out among the state-built tourism projects is the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Region, located on the eastern coast of North Korea.
The snapshots shared from Wonsan Kalma Coastal Region showcase sunbathers lounging on deck chairs, visitors enjoying the pool with inflatable rings, and colorful water slides catching the eye. Hotels lined up along the sandy beach radiate a strong summer resort aesthetic. At first glance, it's hard to distinguish it from the Mediterranean coasts.
However, the backdrop of the scene veers away from the conventional holiday concept. The area is located in the city of Wonsan on North Korea's east coast and was brought to life as part of the tourism projects planned by the state. The project was introduced by Kim Jong Un as the country's tourism showcase. The aim is to present a different image to the outside world through controlled tourism activities.
The facility primarily caters to domestic visitors. Among foreign guests, Russian citizens predominantly make up the majority. Visits progress according to pre-determined programs, and it is mandatory to be accompanied by an official guide. Permission from the authorities is required to deviate from the daily schedule.
Visitors are not permitted to venture outside designated areas. The beach area, monitored by security officers, is subject to extra scrutiny due to its proximity to military zones. Even photography follows strict rules. Construction sites and military structures are strictly off-limits for photography.
The planned project aimed to include luxury hotels, entertainment venues, and an expansive coastline. However, the construction process hit a snag in 2020 due to a typhoon. The facilities, with an approximate capacity of 20,000 visitors, opened their doors in the summer of 2024.
Images of Kim Jong Un waving to the crowd at the opening ceremony, accompanied by a fireworks display, were shared via state media. Information released about the facility, on the other hand, is being kept rather limited. The details are mostly confined to the glossy photos shared from official sources.
Forced labor, low wages, and harsh working conditions have been at the heart of the criticisms. Due to the secretive nature of the project, clear confirmations about the allegations couldn't be made. Despite all the controversies, the facility continues to stand as North Korea's showcase for tourism.