North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has built a huge seaside resort!

North Korea has announced the opening of a resort on the beach to improve the tourism industry. The country’s leader Kim Jong Un believes that this will further increase the country’s tourism. This information was reported by state media.

On Tuesday (June 25), Kim Jong Un inaugurated the huge Onsan Kalma beach resort hub on North Korea’s east coast. On Thursday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the Russian ambassador to Pyongyang was present as the chief guest when Kim inaugurated the huge complex.

The Onsan Kalma resort, located on the east coast, will open to domestic tourists on July 1. However, it is not yet clear when foreign tourists will be welcomed. Kim Jong Un grew up in a luxurious environment in Onsan, where many of the country’s elite have private villas. Since then, he has been trying to transform the city, which was once a missile test site.

State media KCNA claims the resort will accommodate 20,000 visitors. It will also feature a 4km (2.5 miles) stretch of beach, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and a water park. However, the BBC reports that none of the authorities’ claims have been verified. North Korea has faced intense criticism for decades over its nuclear weapons programme. It spends most of its resources on its military.

Meanwhile, many observers say it could be an easy way for Pyongyang to make money. While foreign tourists are allowed in, tour groups mainly come from China and Russia, countries with which Pyongyang has long maintained friendly relations. KCNA has called the Onsan project a significant event for the entire country and heralded it as the beginning of a new era in tourism.

It was initially scheduled to open in October 2019, but construction was delayed before the coronavirus pandemic hit. On June 24, Kim attended the closing ceremony with his daughter Kim Ju-ae and wife Ri Sol-ju. This was Ri’s first public appearance since the New Year’s celebrations.