Miles of white sand, turquoise waters, and rows of pristine beachfront inns line the shore on the newly constructed Wonsan-Kalma resort. North Korean chief Kim Jong Un hopes the event will probably be his nation’s reply to Waikiki. But there’s one downside: the vacationers aren’t there. When CNN reviewed footage from the resort, which opened in June, solely a handful of Russians may very well be seen on the huge stretches of seashore. The remainder of the realm appeared empty.
The Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone has lengthy been certainly one of Kim Jong Un’s pet tasks, regularly showcased in state media. Its pastel-colored inns, water parks and beachfront promenades had been constructed to broadcast a message: North Korea is open for enterprise.
The actuality on the bottom tells a unique story. Strict Covid-19 protocols stay in place. Tourists are restricted virtually completely to tightly managed Russian teams. Chinese and Western guests are nonetheless banned.
CNN senior worldwide correspondent Will Ripley studies. #CNN #News
