North Korea Aims To Become Tourist Destination

Following the COVID-19 epidemic, international travel is again underway, and North Korea hopes to capitalize on the trend by becoming a popular tourist destination. Thousands of visitors, mainly from China, visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) annually. North Korea might be using the revenue from tourists to bolster its nuclear program; therefore, it’s safe to assume that none of these visitors will be American.

Reportedly, North Korea is returning to work on the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, which was supposed to be finished by the middle of 2018. Near the port city of Wonson on the eastern coast of North Korea, there will be an airstrip, hotels, and water parks that visitors can enjoy as part of the project. Unfortunately, the building was delayed because of the COVID-19 epidemic, and the location was allegedly occupied by people experiencing homelessness.

Although the project has excellent potential, prospective visitors may not be able to visit the tourist site once it opens due to travel limitations to North Korea. Numerous warnings about the “continued high danger of arrest and long-term incarceration of U.S. nationals” have long urged American citizens against visiting North Korea. It is highly discouraged for citizens of other countries, such as the UK, to visit North Korea unless essential.

Russian officials in the Far East said on Friday that North Korea is eager to have Russian visitors visit its resorts and create new travel routes connecting the two nations after the easing of some border restrictions. Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako has been meeting with high-ranking North Korean officials, such as Premier Kim Tok Hun and Vice-Minister of External Economic Relations Ji Kyong Su, since Monday, leading a regional delegation.

The North Korean government has shown interest in connecting the cities of Ussuriysk in Russia’s Far East with Tumangang and Rajin in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which are close to the border. Ports Rajin, Chongjin, and Wonsan would link Vladivostok with the port of Kosong, which is close to Mount Kumgang, according to a marine route suggested by DPRK authorities.

The Russian delegation was informed by Kim Ryong Yong, a North Korean Association for Tourism Development and Investment board member, that if the number of visitors grows, the DPRK national carrier Air Koryo may arrange for more flights to North Korea. Guests from Russia are cordially invited to visit Wonsan’s Masikryong Ski Resort.