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Kim Jong-un has unveiled his first hotel complex with the aim of attracting many local and foreign tourists.
Located on the country’s east coast, the hotel was built on a former missile launch site, but work was delayed due to the health crisis and homeless people who squatted on the premises while the workers were away.
The complex is officially due to open in May 2025, but it remains to be seen whether it will be the success expected by local authorities.
North Korea expert Jacob Bogle spoke to the Daily Star about the unusual project.
“Wonsan Resort is the largest recreational complex in North Korea and one of the largest single-operator resorts in the world in terms of length. Initial plans unveiled in 2013 suggested the resort could accommodate up to 100,000 people at one time,” he said.
“Given that only 150,000 to 200,000 foreign tourists visited the country each year before the pandemic, Wonsan will rely heavily on domestic tourism to reach its capacity,” he added.
According to the expert, the majority of tourists will come from Russia and China.
