Over the past week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been touring various regions nationwide with key officials, focusing on economic achievements. He hinted at developing Samjiyon and Wonsan as international tourist destinations, emphasizing the importance of earning foreign currency.
According to the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s official newspaper, Kim visited the construction site of the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area on Tuesday. Before this, Kim visited Samjiyon City on July 11-12 and Sinpo City on July 15.
At these three locations, senior officials, including Premier Kim Tok Hun, Party Secretaries Jo Yong Won, Ri Il Hwan, Kim Jae Ryong, and Deputy Director Kim Yo Jong, accompanied him. Compiling the reports suggests that Kim and the officials have been conducting an economic policy tour from Samjiyon to Wonsan City.
In Pungo-dong, Sinpo City, Kim directed the construction of a new fish farm, promising it would become the wealthiest city in 3-4 years, thus promising to stimulate the local economy.
He emphasized the significance of tourism in Samjiyon and Wonsan. He announced plans to construct a large-scale ski resort in Samjiyon, aiming to open it within two years and complete the Wonsan tourist zone by May next year.
North Korea uses seafood not only to feed its residents but also as an export, so these public activities seem to emphasize the importance of earning foreign currency and promoting economic growth.
Unlike his predecessors, Kim has invested heavily in the tourism industry since taking power. In 2013, he opened the state-of-the-art Masikryong Ski Resort, and in 2019, he completed the large-scale Yangdok Hot Spring Cultural Recreation Center.
The tourism industry can stably secure foreign currency without violating North Korea’s sanctions. It also provides space for rest and cultural life for the people, which aligns with Kim’s policy of improving people’s living standards. Building tourist sites has a significant propaganda effect after its completion, which is an attractive part of Kim’s achievements.
During his visit to Wonsan, Kim mentioned expanding and developing the tourism industry in the long term and saying “scenic spots on the east coast” such as Kumgangsan, Chilbosan, Majon, Kumya, Riwon, and Yeombunjin. This indicates his intention to develop various areas along the east coast into tourist destinations.
Kim also showed attention to detail when developing tourist sites and services. He said, “It is important to operate the service flawlessly,” and “No matter how modern the facilities are if the service level is poor, the value of the tourist site will decrease.”
Kim announced that he would complete the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone construction by May of next year. Due to the pandemic, only Russian tourists have been allowed into North Korea until now, but it is highly likely that “full reopening” to pre-pandemic levels will occur early next year.
Kim is on a nationwide tour, traveling from the northern to the northeastern and eastern regions. Photos in the Rodong Sinmun show that meetings were held locally with dozens of officials, with large tents and even air conditioners set up, indicating the movement of substantial supplies with Kim. It can be inferred that a large amount of materials is moving with Kim. This suggests North Korea is putting much effort into this economic tour.
North Korea compared the meeting held in Sinpho to the Changsong Joint Conference, which the late President Kim Il Sung convened to revive the local economy in the underdeveloped Changsong County in North Pyongan Province. North Korea is expected to continue highlighting Kim’s tour and driving the revitalization of the local economy.