North Korea's Wonsan Kalma Resort: A Controversial Welcome to Russian Tourists

This week, North Korea welcomed its first group of Russian tourists at the controversial Wonsan Kalma resort, a project marred by allegations of human rights abuses against construction workers. Opened by Kim Jong Un, the resort aims to revive the nation's economy by attracting foreign visitors, especially from Russia and China.

A new chapter in North Korea's tourism saga seems to have begun as the Wonsan Kalma resort officially opened its doors to its first group of Russian tourists. Despite criticism from human rights organizations regarding the treatment of construction workers, the ambitious project has been presented by North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, as a premiere destination for tourists.

The Wonsan Kalma resort, which was inaugurated last month, is a part of North Korea's significant effort to promote tourism and improve its economic status, particularly in the wake of international sanctions. Plans for the resort were allegedly inspired by a fact-finding tour in 2017 to the famous Spanish destination of Benidorm, leading to speculation about its design and objectives.

Efforts to create the resort have drawn attention due to serious allegations regarding the exploitation of labor. Reports suggest that workers were subjected to forced labor under harsh conditions, raising severe ethical concerns. Testimonies from former workers indicate that "shock brigades," a form of coerced labor, were often forced to work excessively long hours with limited recompense.

The resort itself has been designed to attract large numbers of tourists, initially projected at around one million visitors annually. Now, with the first Russian tourists arriving, the effects of this endeavor on North Korea's economy and international relations are under scrutiny. Despite the grand aspirations of the North Korean leadership, analysts express skepticism about the resort's viability, noting that competing global destinations offer far superior experiences and amenities.

As foreign tourist numbers remain low, with few advertisements from Chinese travel agencies but some from Russian operators, the North Korean authorities are banking on a successful future at Wonsan Kalma. However, the underlying human rights concerns may overshadow the resort's potential success and may continue to be a focus of international scrutiny.