North Korea’s ‘world-class’ beach resort nears completion – but will the tourists come?

North Korea has made dramatic strides in its development of the port of Wonsan into the “world-class” tourist resort that Kim Jong-un has demanded, with hotels, game arcades, a marina, theatres and funfairs sprouting along several miles of the city’s beach.

Analysts suggest, however, that international sanctions and high-profile cases involving foreign tourists are likely to limit the number of people willing to holiday in North Korea, rendering the Wonsan development a white elephant.

An examination of satellite images by experts and posted on the 38 North website, operated by The Stimson Center think tank, underlines the rapid pace of development at the east coast city in recent months. 

The…