(LEAD) N. Korea completes Kalma beach resort; set for opening next month

(LEAD) N. Korea completes Kalma beach resort; set for opening next month: General / 이민지 / 2025-06-26 13:59:39

(LEAD) N Korea-beach resort

▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) cuts the ribbon during a ceremony on June 24, 2025, marking the completion of the new Kalma coastal tourist area, in this photo published by the Korean Central News Agency on June 26. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

▲ This image, published by the Korean Central News Agency on June 26, 2025, shows a ceremony held June 24, marking the completion of the new Kalma coastal tourist area. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) N Korea-beach resort

(LEAD) N. Korea completes Kalma beach resort; set for opening next month

(ATTN: ADDS remarks by unification ministry official in last 5 paras)

By Park Boram

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has completed the construction of a large-scale beach resort in the eastern coastal region of Kalma, with leader Kim Jong-un touting it as one of the country's greatest feats this year, state media reported Thursday.

The completion ceremony for the new Kalma coastal tourist area was held "with splendor" Tuesday with Kim in attendance, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The KCNA described the new site as housing hotels and hostels capable of accommodating nearly 20,000 guests, both domestic and foreign. The resort is equipped with facilities for sea swimming, sports and recreation, as well as commercial and public catering services.

The facilities are "fully equipped with all conditions and cultural life bases for providing the beauty of the scenic spot ... in all seasons, excitingly picturing a 4-km-long stretch of beach," the news outlet said.

Kim cut the ribbon during the ceremony and toured the resort area, including an outdoor pool and hotels, noting that what the country has thrown energy into for a long time has become a "brilliant reality."

The KCNA said Kim also expressed his deep emotion over the project, calling it one of the greatest successes this year.

"The Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area should play a leading role in establishing the tourist culture of" North Korea, the KCNA quoted Kim as saying, while ordering those in charge of the resort's operation to provide the best convenience and leisure space to tourists.

Kim described the Kalma resort as the first step in the development of cultural tourism in the country, saying the upcoming Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea will confirm a major plan to develop additional large-scale tourist areas in other regions "in the shortest time possible," based on lessons learned from the Kalma project.

The KCNA said the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area will start service for tourists at home July 1.

Kim was seen accompanied by his daughter, known as Ju-ae, and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, marking the first time Ri has appeared at a public event since her last media appearance at a New Year's Day arts performance on Jan. 1, 2024.

Invited to the ceremony were the Russian ambassador to North Korea and members of the embassy, a sign that Russians will be among the foreign tourists expected to be brought in.

An official at South Korea's unification ministry, in charge of inter-Korean affairs, noted North Korea may have received Russia's support in building the beach resort.

"Various support (the North) received in exchange for participating in Moscow's war against Ukraine could have helped (the country) complete the construction of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist district," the official said.

The ministry, meanwhile, said the number of tourists visiting the area in groups may fall short of Pyongyang's expectations due to the country's poor transportation.

"Overseas travelers are expected to visit only in small groups through air travel," the official said. "It needs to be seen whether the area will become popular due to limits in infrastructure circumstances."

Based on flight routes connecting Pyongyang and the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok, up to 170 foreign tourists are expected to visit the area on a daily basis, which is much smaller than the 20,000 North Korea claims it can accommodate.

(END)