North Korea Bans Foreign Tourists from New Resort
In a surprising move, North Korea has decided to prohibit foreign tourists from entering its newly opened beach resort, the Wonsan-Kalma complex. This decision casts a shadow over what leader Kim Jong Un had previously touted as a significant achievement for the year.
According to a statement from DPR Korea Tour, the official tourism authority, the resort is currently not welcoming foreign visitors. No explanations were provided for this sudden ban, nor has the government indicated how long it will last.
This tourist complex, which can host almost 20,000 guests, welcomed domestic tourists starting July 1 and had even received a small group from Russia just last week. Expectations were high for it to soon open to Chinese tourists, while largely keeping out other foreign visitors.
Timing of the Ban Raises Questions
The announcement of this travel ban comes shortly after a visit from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who met with Kim and North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. Over the years, North Korea and Russia have significantly increased their military cooperation, with North Korea reportedly supplying arms to support Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov expressed confidence that Russian tourists would be eager to visit the new resort.
However, some analysts believe the North Korean government has opted to halt foreign tourism after a Russian journalist’s report during Lavrov’s visit raised concerns. The article suggested that North Koreans in the area seemed more like state-controlled visitors rather than genuine tourists, leading authorities to worry about the negative repercussions of allowing foreign visitors.
Short-lived Travel Ban Expected
Despite the current restrictions, experts believe North Korea will ultimately need to open the Wonsan-Kalma complex to both Russian and Chinese tourists. The substantial costs involved in building and operating the resort raise doubts over its financial viability without foreign currency inflow from international visitors.
If the flow of tourists is restricted, it could cripple the economic prospects for the resort, making it difficult for North Korea to sustain operations. Kim had previously referred to the establishment of the resort as a monumental step in promoting tourism, claiming it was bustling with local visitors.
Recently, a group of 15 Russian tourists who visited the resort described their experience as “magnificent,” noting its pristine conditions and striking views.
While North Korea has been gradually easing COVID-19 restrictions, it remains unclear when it will return to full-scale international tourism. Prior to the pandemic, Chinese tourists represented over 90% of foreign visitors to North Korea. Although there were small attempts to restart international tourism, these efforts quickly came to a halt.
In the wake of these developments, it will be interesting to see how North Korea manages its tourism policies moving forward, especially in light of its economic challenges and the ongoing global situation.
