Impressions on inaugural travel to North Korea's first resort

 Direct translation

North Korea's resort opens to the public for the first time but foreign tourists are upset

Editor: Fang Xun / Source: CTWAN / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/0728/2253871.html / Image : Web Screenshot

North Korea's newly renovated resort in Wonsan Kalma recently opened to the public for the first time, welcoming a group of Russian tourists. However, this trip was far from a simple relaxing getaway. Several Russian tourists reported being "escorted" and monitored by authorities throughout their stay, and even suspected their phone messages were being tapped.

According to The Sun, the resort, located on the coast of Japan, features an artificial white sand beach and water sports facilities and reportedly can accommodate up to 20,000 visitors. Formerly used as a missile test range, it is now being redeveloped under the personal leadership of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with the goal of creating an international seaside tourist destination. It has been likened to a North Korean version of Benidorm by foreign media.

The first group to enter the resort was a small tour group of 13 Russian tourists, who first arrived in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok before flying to Pyongyang. They had originally planned to take a domestic flight from Pyongyang to Wonsan, but their itinerary was abruptly changed to a train, carrying only 13 tourists.

Tourist Daria Zubkova shared her experience on social media, saying, "We were escorted everywhere, even on the beach." She described the escort as "sweet care" rather than blatant surveillance, but she also admitted that many of her companions expressed concern about possible eavesdropping. "The caretakers explained they were worried we might get lost or get into an accident. While there might be surveillance, we had nothing to hide."

Tour arrangements were also quite challenging. Upon arrival in Wonsan, the hotel we had originally booked had been occupied by officials and media accompanying Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, leaving tourists temporarily housed in a poorly maintained hotel. Furthermore, sending emails incurs a £1.65 fee, with the caveat that all messages are censored and sent from the hotel's public mailbox, potentially subject to surveillance by the secret police.

Travelers are required to bring their own sugar, tea, and coffee; fruit is not served at the resort. Despite the limited facilities and freedom, the food was praised by some tourists. Dalia said, "There was duck, rabbit, and all kinds of fish. They really tried to please us." Another tourist, Lyudmila, expressed her excitement about her first North Korean train ride and was deeply impressed by the impoverished rural scenes outside the window.

The basic cost of the trip is £1,360, most of which must be paid in cash.