
North Korean leader Kim attends ceremony to open coastal tourist area
The state-run Korean Central Television reported on Thursday that an inaugural ceremony for the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area was held on Tuesday, with Kim in attendance.
The resort is said to have accommodations for about 20,000 visitors.
Kim cut the ribbon, and inspected a hotel and a swimming pool with his daughter and the Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora.
Kim touted the significance of the tourism industry as an engine for both regional development and the country's economic development.
He added he will unveil a plan to develop more large-scale tourist areas in other regions at the upcoming party congress.
The Wonsan Kalma resort will open to domestic tourists on July 1.
North Korea has been easing restrictions on travel into and out of the country, which were put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Pyongyang apparently hopes to attract tourists from abroad to obtain foreign currency.
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