Kim Jong Un's Tourism Boom: North Korea's Shiny New Water Slide Haven
Tourists will be drawn to Kim Jong Un's destination with an enticing waterslide. - Dictator Kim Jong Un aims to draw in visitors with an enticing water slide attraction
Get ready to catch some waves and slide down a giant chute in the heart of North Korea! That's right, folks, Kim Jong Un is turning up the heat with a brand-new tourist zone on the east coast. The man's got a vision, and it's all about water, sun, and fun.
Kim was all smiles as he inaugurated the Wonsan Kalma tourist area, according to state news agency KCNA. The spot's set to cater to around 20,000 visitors, with more areas planned in the near future. This coastal playground is meant to be a beacon of world-class vacation vibes, Kim promised.
Dubbed the "wave of happiness," the Wonsan Kalma tourist area is a multi- billion-dollar transformation of the local favorite holiday destination, Wonsan. Construction on this exciting venture kicked off back in 2014, but finding a major foreign partner for the project has been a bit of a challenge due to international sanctions related to North Korea's weapons programs.
Domestic guests will get first dibs on the action starting July 1, but we're still waiting on the word about foreign tourists. North Korea shut its borders at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but they've been gradually opening up since 2023.
Inviting the World: Kim Jong Un's Tourism Agenda
North Korea's recently taken baby steps towards allowing foreign tourism, welcoming Russian tourist groups and hosting an international marathon. The Russian ambassador was even on hand for the grand opening in Wonsan. But, Pyongyang and other areas remain off-limits for regular tourists.
The German Foreign Ministry strongly advises against traveling to North Korea, citing potential incidents and suspicion from locals when trying to explore on your own. Not to mention, several foreigners have been arrested on allegations of anti-republican acts.
Despite the challenges and risks, Kim Jong Un's dedication to the tourism industry is clear. He's leading the charge to revamp North Korea's sanitized tourist facade, presenting a spotless, modernized version of the country to visitors. The sector's one of the few legal avenues for North Korea to earn foreign currency in the face of international sanctions, making it a strategic economic priority.
So, mark your calendars, folks! The Kim Jong Un-built Wonsan Kalma tourist area is set to bring sun, sea, and fun to North Korea's shores. Hopefully, it'll be more than just a splash in the pan and usher in a new era of tourism for the isolated nation.
Kim Jong-un's vision for tourism extends to his hometown, Wonsan, where he plans to showcase a lifestyle that includes water parks and vibrant vacation spots, as evident in the building of the Wonsan Kalma tourist area. Foreign tourists might soon have the opportunity to travel to this area, as North Korea has been gradually opening its borders since 2023, following the inauguration of the tourist zone in 2014.
