TOKYO -- The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a sprawling seaside resort on North Korea's eastern seaboard, opened its doors this summer. Seven years in the making, the resort is more than just a leisure destination -- it is a symbol of Pyongyang's expanding ties with Moscow.
In July, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Wonsan, a sign of the deepening relationship between the two nations. With fighter jets parked near the airport adjacent to the resort, Wonsan serves a dual role, combining tourism with military functions.
Using satellite analysis and social media footage, Nikkei shows the full picture of this ambitious beachside development.
The beach resort forms a 5-kilometer arc along the Sea of Japan. According to Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang's official news outlet, the resort can accommodate approximately 20,000 overnight guests.
North Korea is believed to have received substantial sums of money from Russia. "Since the resort development is a pet project of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, it is believed that funds obtained from Russia are also being utilized," said Atsuhito Isozaki, a professor at Japan's Keio University who specializes in North Korean politics.
After the resort opened, Russian tourists began staying there, with social media posts showing off their beach vacations.
