Images of colourful waterslides, pristine sandy beaches, and tourists lounging on inflatables could be from any Mediterranean hotspot popular with British holidaymakers. However, these scenes originate from one of the world's most secretive states: North Korea.
A Sunshine Holiday Behind Closed Borders
In the summer of 2025, the isolated regime launched the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a state-built resort on the country's east coast. Promoted by leader Kim Jong Un as part of an ambition to turn North Korea into a tourist destination, the complex features beaches, pools, and a waterpark. Despite the glossy imagery, it remains firmly off-limits to most international travellers, especially Britons, as the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the country.
The resort, located in the coastal city of Wonsan, was first announced as an ambitious project in 2018. Plans were delayed by a typhoon in 2020 before the facility, which state media claims can host 20,000 tourists, finally opened. An official opening ceremony in June 2025, depicted in state media, showed Kim Jong Un waving to a crowd amid a grand fireworks display.
Strict Controls and a Curated Experience
Access to the resort is meticulously managed. Currently, it is primarily open to domestic visitors and a limited number of international tourists from Russia. Bookings involve pre-planned itineraries and mandatory official guides, eliminating any spontaneity. Russian visitor Anastasia Samsonova, who spoke to the BBC in July 2025, confirmed the trip was tightly controlled, with any deviation requiring approval from North Korean officials.
Samsonova revealed she was asked to dress modestly and was prohibited from photographing construction sites. She described a quiet resort where the beach was perfectly cleaned and levelled each morning. Meals included "lots of meat" and sweet and sour dishes, with beer costing around 60 cents (44p). Souvenirs on offer included Olympic clothing with North Korean team logos and toy rockets draped in national flags.
Logistics, Cost, and Underlying Controversy
A Russian travel website offers an eight-day trip to the area from June to September, combining beach time in Wonsan with sightseeing in Pyongyang. The package, promoted with a Russian-speaking guide and all-inclusive elements, costs 45,000 Rubles (approximately £415).
However, the resort's location adds another layer of intrigue and restriction. It is reportedly situated close to military and missile testing sites, within a guard-patrolled zone where visitors are unlikely to wander freely. Furthermore, the project attracted significant criticism during construction. Human rights groups raised serious concerns about allegations of forced labour, poor pay, and harsh working conditions for those building the complex, amid a shroud of secrecy.
While the promotional photos project an image of carefree holiday fun, the reality of a stay at the Wonsan Kalma resort is one of intense supervision and limited freedom. It stands as a surreal paradox: a Benidorm-style escape in a country where the concept of a spontaneous holiday simply does not exist.
