North Korea's Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone has opened to foreign guests, but Russian journalists report staged scenes and restricted access amid otherwise lavish hospitality.
North Korea’s first lady Ri Sol-ju appeared publicly for the first time in 17 months at a new coastal resort, drawing attention with a designer handbag as the regime emphasized tourism and Russian ties.
Satellite imagery shows North Korea's Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort nearing completion ahead of its planned June opening, nearly a decade after construction began. Despite past delays due to sanctions and the pandemic, the regime is now promoting the site as a key tourism project targeting foreign visitors, especially Russians.
English-speaking North Korean guides drew attention during the Pyongyang International Marathon, engaging foreign participants with fluent, occasionally candid conversations. While guides appeared more relaxed off-camera, their on-camera responses often followed scripted state narratives.
