Just weeks after launching its flagship seaside resort, North Korea has barred foreign tourists from visiting the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone — a site once promoted as a symbol of the country’s tourism ambitions.

The resort officially opened on 1 July, boasting a 4-kilometre stretch of beachfront filled with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and a water park, all capable of accommodating around 20,000 guests, according to North Korean state media. The project is part of Kim Jong Un’s long-standing vision to develop tourism and attract international visitors.

In the lead-up to the opening, the resort had been advertised to both domestic and foreign tourists. However, a notice posted on North Korea’s official tourism website now states that foreigners are “temporarily” restricted from entry.

The announcement comes shortly after a group of Russian tourists visited the resort — reportedly the first foreign visitors — coinciding with a diplomatic visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Wonsan. Lavrov praised the resort as a promising tourist destination and expressed hope it would attract more Russian visitors, according to AFP. The two countries also plan to establish direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang later this month.

A Russian tour guide previously told NK News that more tours had been scheduled for the coming months, but those plans now remain uncertain.

Located on North Korea’s eastern coast, Wonsan is not only known for its scenic beaches but also houses military and missile facilities, and is home to a maritime industrial zone. It holds personal significance for Kim Jong Un, who reportedly spent much of his childhood there, often at villas reserved for the nation’s ruling elite.

While the development has been celebrated in North Korean media, human rights groups have criticized the project since construction began in 2018. Reports allege the use of forced labor, with workers subjected to harsh conditions, extended hours, and minimal compensation to meet construction deadlines.

The resort’s inauguration ceremony on 24 June was attended by Kim Jong Un, his family, and a delegation of Russian ambassadors.

This move to restrict foreign access mirrors a similar pattern earlier this year. After reopening its borders post-pandemic, North Korea welcomed tourists from Russia, Australia, France, Germany, and the UK in February — only to suspend international tourism weeks later without explanation.

The latest restriction again raises questions about Pyongyang’s true intentions behind its tourism campaigns and whether the resort will ever serve as a meaningful destination for international travelers.