North Korea's massive coastal tourist zone opens after epic delay

adsf — Children have fun at a beach in Wonsan, Kangwon Province on July 1, 2025, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency the following day.

SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - North Korea has opened its long-awaited tourist zone in the eastern coastal area of Kangwon Province after years of construction delays, state-run media reported on Wednesday.

According to the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the "magnificent tourist attraction which is unparalleled in the world" was opened to the public the previous day with "many guests" on the first day of its grand opening.

Located in the southeastern port city of Wonsan, the zone along the scenic beaches is one of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's ambitious projects to boost the impoverished country's tourism industry as a source of hard currency.

The grand opening came about a week after leader Kim Jong-un inspected the site with his wife and daughter last Tuesday.

Resort and leisure amenities including about 40 lodgings accommodating up to 20,000 guests and other services are currently available to domestic travelers, with plans to attract foreign visitors later this month.

The zone is reportedly equipped with shopping and entertainment facilities including restaurants serving the country's signature Pyongyang-style cold noodles, ginseng tea, beer, and more.

Kim's pet project was initially slated for completion by April 2019 to coincide with the birthday of his grandfather and regime founder Kim Il-sung, but construction was immensely delayed due to difficulties in obtaining materials amid international sanctions.

Im Yoon-seo lyseo0330@ajupress.com