(Adnkronos) – North Korea has completed the construction of a large seaside resort in the eastern coastal region of Kalma. The completion ceremony of the new tourist area took place “with fanfare” on Tuesday in the presence of the North Korean leader, Yonhap reports, citing the North Korean agency Kcna. According to the Pyongyang agency, the new site is a complex of hotels and other reception facilities capable of accommodating almost 20,000 guests. The resort is equipped with sports facilities and offers recreational activities, as well as catering services.
Kim cut the ribbon during the ceremony and visited the resort area, including an outdoor swimming pool complete with large water slides and some hotels, emphasizing that what the country has invested energy in for a long time has become a “bright reality”. Kim also expressed his deep emotion for the project, calling it one of the greatest successes of this year.
“The Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area should play a leading role in the development of the tourism culture” of North Korea, Kim said, recommending that those responsible for management offer tourists the best comforts and recreational spaces. (continues)
The Kalma resort – Kim said – will be the first step in the development of cultural tourism in the country, and the upcoming Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea will confirm an important plan to develop further large-scale tourist areas in other regions “as soon as possible”, based on the lessons learned from the Kalma project. The Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area – Kcna added – will be accessible to tourists starting from July 1st.
Kim was accompanied to the ceremony by his daughter, Ju-ae, and his wife Ri Sol-ju, in her first public appearance after the New Year’s artistic show on January 1, 2024. Photos published by Kcna show Ri standing or sitting next to Kim and their daughter, Ju-ae, during the ceremony. Ri is wearing a white shirt, wide black trousers and, according to some media, is carrying what appears to be a Gucci bag.
The Russian ambassador to North Korea and members of the embassy were invited to the ceremony, indicating that Russians will also be among the expected foreign tourists.
