North Korea has unveiled five new hotels in the Samjiyon tourist district near Mount Baekdu. Kim Jong Un stressed the importance of developing tourism culture and boosting the tourism industry.
The state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on Tuesday that the grand opening ceremonies for these hotels took place on Saturday and Sunday. Kim personally attended the ribbon-cutting for the Ikal and Milyong Hotels on Saturday, while the Sobaksu, Cheongbong, and Botnamu Hotels were inaugurated the following day.
Officials attending the ceremonies described the new hotels as a starting point for a large-scale tourist zone encompassing Mount Baekdu and the surrounding mountain areas. They said Samjiyon is expected to become a major destination for mountain tourism and a popular cultural retreat for the public.
The newspaper said the hotel names reflect the natural scenery of Mount Baekdu and described them as notable achievements that set a new standard for hospitality.
After touring the hotels’ guest rooms and leisure spaces, Kim expressed his delight at seeing such high-quality facilities in Samjiyon. He also called for strengthening national training programs for hospitality professionals.
Kim emphasized the important role the hotels play in establishing the country’s tourism culture and revitalizing the tourism industry, noting that while modern facilities matter, service quality is the key factor in tourism development. He urged the hotels to prioritize improving staff skills and professionalism.
He also said that creating tourist attractions across the country demonstrates the people’s growing aspirations and the nation’s development potential.
North Korea has been investing heavily in developing Samjiyon as a major tourism destination, along with the Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort. Kim visited Samjiyon last July and instructed that it be developed into an international tourism hub. In June, the Pillow Peak Hotel in the area reopened after extensive renovations.
The Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort also began welcoming visitors in July, underscoring Kim’s focus on tourism infrastructure development since taking power.
Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, accompanied him at the hotel opening ceremonies. She has recently appeared with her father at several official events, including factory inauguration ceremonies in Sinpo and Kangdong County earlier this month.