North Korea is promoting the newly opened Wonsan Galma coastal tourism district to attract domestic and foreign tourists [1].

The push comes as the government seeks to generate revenue and signal economic stability. Analysts said the promotion aims to compensate for delays in other flagship projects led by Kim Jong-un and to use tourism as a lever for deeper economic cooperation with Russia and China [1, 2].

Located on the east coast in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, the district features hotels, wave pools, and a vertical-drop water slide [1, 2]. State broadcaster Korean Central Television said beach-tourism volunteers began their work on July 1, 2024 [1].

According to the state broadcaster, tens of thousands of workers visited the site within a single month [1]. The promotion intensified during a period of extreme heat, with state media highlighting the resort as a destination for those escaping the heat wave [1, 2].

Reporter Kang Min-kyung of YTN said that experts believe North Korea is continuing these promotional efforts to draw in foreign nationals [1]. This strategy aligns with broader efforts to open specific economic zones to outside influence while maintaining strict state control over the rest of the country [1, 2].

The Wonsan Galma project has been a long-term goal for the administration, designed to transform the coastal region into a world-class destination [1]. By focusing on high-end leisure facilities, the government hopes to project an image of modernity, and prosperity to the international community [1, 2].

“North Korea is promoting the newly opened Wonsan Galma coastal tourism district”

The aggressive promotion of the Wonsan Galma zone suggests a strategic shift toward targeted tourism to alleviate economic pressure. By courting foreign visitors—particularly from allied nations like China and Russia—North Korea can acquire hard currency without fully liberalizing its economy. The timing of the push also serves as a domestic propaganda tool to distract from stalled infrastructure projects by showcasing a completed, luxury destination.