Kim Jong Un officially opens a recreational facility for tourists.
Unveiling Kim Jong Un's Crown Jewel: A Behemoth Tourist Resort in Wonsan-Kalma Coast
In North Korea's bid to spruce up its tourism sector, the country's bonze, Kim Jong Un, unveiled a ambitious tourist resort nestled in the enchanting Wonsan-Kalma coastline. Boasting a wide array of architectural marvels, including first-class hotels, vibrant swimming pools, and thrilling water slides, this colossal project is ready to cater to a whopping 20,000 tourists - both domestic and international - as per the state news agency, KCNA.
At the grand inauguration ceremony, Kim Jong Un was flanked by his daughter, rumored to be his potential successor thanks to her frequent public appearances by his side. Regrettably, her name and precise age remains shrouded in secrecy by the North Korean authorities.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un's wife, Ri Sol Ju, made a rare and long-awaited public reappearance, captured in KCNA photos clutching a Gucci handbag. While UN sanctions forbid the sale of luxury goods to North Korea, speculations abound that smugglers have found clever loopholes to bring such indulgences into the country. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency hinted that these luxury items might have been sneaked in via diplomatic baggage.
The Wonsan-Kalma project is not a fresh young sapling sprouting from the earth. With foundations laid over a decade ago, the resort stands tall today, representing North Korea's fervent ambition to resuscitate and bolster its tourism sector. However, questions linger about the economic feasibility of this endeavor, given North Korea's isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and its stringent entry of outsiders.
As the gates swing open for local tourists on July 1, North Korea seems to have its eyes set on the Russian market for international visitors. The KCNA confirmed the presence of the Russian ambassador at the inauguration ceremony, and direct air connectivity between Vladivostok, a bustling Russian city, and Pyongyang indicates North Korea's intention to establish a steady stream of foreign tourists.
Cautious travelers, however, are advised to tread carefully. The German Federal Foreign Office strongly discourages any attempts to travel to North Korea, with no operational German embassy since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Intriguingly, the Wonsan-Kalma tourist resort is a significant step forward in North Korea's hesitant but deliberate approach to revive tourism as a lucrative economic sector. Even as the borders remain largely closed for general tourism, and foreign visitors granted entry in a controlled and regulated manner, this coastal refuge offers a tantalizing peek into the country's aspirations.
Insights:
- The Wonsan-Kalma tourist resort, a multi-billion dollar endeavor, symbolizes North Korea's push to revitalize its tourism industry, focusing on domestic and Russian visitors in the short-term.
- The resort's grand unveiling coincides with the rare public appearance of Kim Jong Un's wife, Ri Sol Ju, provocatively carrying a luxury Gucci handbag despite UN sanctions on the sale of luxury goods to North Korea.
- The German government strongly advises against traveling to North Korea, citing political risks, sanctions, and severely restricted freedoms in the country.
- Despite ongoing international travel restrictions, North Korea continues to pave the way for selective, controlled reopening of tourism with potential foreign investors from select countries such as Russia.
This ultra-modern Wonsan-Kalma tourist resort, a testament to North Korea's commitment to invigorate its tourism market, hosts a variety of amenities for both domestic and Russian visitors. Amidst the grandeur of this project, Kim Jong Un's wife, Ri Sol Ju, made a striking appearance with a Gucci handbag, adding an intriguing twist to the tight UN sanctions on luxury goods sales to North Korea.
