Hotels on the east coast can accommodate around 20,000 people, according to state-run KCNA news agency

North Korea has opened a sprawling "world-class" resort on its east coast. The nation's leader, Kim Jong-un, has hailed it as a harbinger of "paradises to be built in different parts" of the country, according to state-run KCNA news agency.

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, unveiled in a ceremony on Tuesday, stretches for 4km and features hundreds of new buildings, including hotels that can host up to 20,000 guests. KCNA described it as a "coastal resort town of our own style without an equal in the world," boasting facilities for swimming, sports, shopping, cultural events, and year-round leisure.

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon, Kim toured the site's hotels and water park, describing the inauguration as "the proud first step on the road of implementing the policy of the party and the government on the development of cultural tourism."

The resort's opening was attended by Russia's ambassador to North Korea and embassy staff, who KCNA described as "special guests." The two countries have significantly improved ties in recent years. North Korean troops assisted Russia in repelling the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Region earlier this year.

According to KCNA, the compound will begin service for domestic tourists on July 1. Western media reports suggest that the tourist area will be aimed at attracting Russian tourists.

According to officials in Russia's Primorsky Region in the Far East, organized group tours from the country will begin in July, which will include not only beach leisure time but also a trip to Pyongyang.

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Russian media outlets report that eight-day beach packages are priced at around $1,800 per person.

Visitors to North Korea usually face strict rules, including mandatory guides, controlled itineraries, and bans on photographing sensitive sites and importing certain literature. In 2024, more than 1,500 Russian tourists visited North Korea.