Inside Kim Jong-un’s sprawling new coastal resort

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was spotted strolling down the beach this weekend as he made a high-profile visit to the country’s much-anticipated seaside resort.

Launched in 2014, North Korea’s long-delayed Kalma beach resort was originally supposed to open in June 2019 but has faced repeated delays, including design changes, sanctions-related material shortages, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yet despite its rocky history, Kim appeared confident during his tour, declaring the project ‘a world-class scenic spot that will be loved by our people and foreigners alike’.

Accompanied by his daughter, Ju Ae, in her first public appearance since October, Kim walked along the sandy beaches and inspected the Kalmaegi Hotel, the luxurious centerpiece of the resort.

Photos released by state media showed Kim and his daughter, who is rumoured to be groomed to succeed the dictator, sharing moments by the seafront as officials briefed them on the progress.

Kim expressed grand ambitions for the resort, describing it as a symbol of North Korea’s potential to rejuvenate its economy through tourism. ‘This is more than just a beach,’ he told state media. ‘It represents a new era of socialist cultural construction and a driving force for regional revitalization.’

With a coastline twice the length of Hawaii’s famous Waikiki Beach, the Kalma Beach Resort boasts a staggering scale. The resort is set to include over 7,000 rooms, 17 hotels, and dozens of service establishments, with Kim even suggesting it could even serve as a venue for future political meetings and summits.

But the ambitious project faces significant hurdles. North Korea’s tourism industry has long struggled to attract international visitors, with a small number of Russian tourists currently the only ones to holiday in the region.

In November, Moscow and Pyongyang reached a new agreement for expanding economic cooperation, which will see both nations field more charter flights to each other’s countries in an attempt to boost tourism for both parties.

But despite the increased cooperation between Putin and Kim, attracting even Russian tourists is set to be a challenge. Due to North Korea’s strict authoritarian regime tourists will not be permitted to leave the resort and wander the region freely, which is likely to reduce international appeal.

Greg Vaczi, tour manager for Koryo Tours, told NK News: ‘It might be a focus of interest at the beginning as it is something that has been talked about for almost a decade and right now a lot of tourists are willing to visit regardless of the itinerary — but who wants to spend days just on the beach where the water temperature is only pleasant for like three months tops.

‘Chinese tourists have access to more appealing beach holiday destinations,’ while ‘South Korean tourists are off the table’ as an income source, he added, drastically reducing the pool of viable visitors.

Despite these obstacles, Kim projected optimism, framing North Korea’s political stability as a competitive advantage. ‘Our country’s stability and order are unmatched,’ he said, a subtle jab at South Korea’s ongoing political tensions which saw its president recently impeached following a botched implementation of marital law.

Since construction resumed earlier this year, workers have focused on finishing key facilities, including an outdoor waterpark and an aquatic arena. A new rail line connecting the resort to Wonsan Kalma International Airport is also underway.

Kim’s visit underscored his personal commitment to the project, with KCNA describing the resort as a ‘dream destination’ for both domestic and international travelers.

‘This project is a testament to our resilience and vision,’ Kim said. ‘It’s not just a resort—it’s a declaration of our ability to build a brighter future for our people.’

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