Recent satellite imagery has revealed increased activity in North Korea’s newly constructed tourist zone in Wonsan, Gangwon Province. Analysts suggest that Pyongyang may be gearing up to resume foreign tourism operations as of March 21.
According to satellite images obtained by SI Analytics (SIA), a domestic private satellite imagery firm, on March10, the majority of facilities in the expansive Wonsan Galma Coastal Tourist Zone are nearing completion.
The large hospital at the resort’s main entrance and hotels along the coastline have been finished. A new train station, built to improve tourist access, appears almost complete, with only roofing work remaining. SIA predicts the resort will be fully operational by May.
A significant development is the surge in human activity. The resort’s outdoor theater captured images of approximately 2,000 people and vehicles gathered, which SIA interprets as possible mobilization events to train staff who will work at the resort.
In addition to the train station, SIA observed 13 identical luxury sedans near Wonsan Galma International Airport, the gateway to the Kalma resort. Notably, these vehicles were parked near airport facilities rather than in the main parking area.
SIA commented that the simultaneous presence of over 20 high-ranking officials of the same level is unusual. This suggests ongoing high-level facility inspections or preparatory rehearsals.
Efforts to attract foreign tourists are becoming evident. Wang Yajun, the Chinese ambassador to North Korea, recently visited the Galma Coastal Tourist Zone. North Korea hosted a banquet to foster tourism cooperation between the two nations. The Chinese embassy in North Korea has also promoted the Galma resort as a “large-scale comprehensive coastal tourist destination” on its website.
North Korea and China are preparing to expand people-to-people exchanges by resuming passenger train services and regular flights that were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The heightened activity at the Galma resort indicates that North Korea may prioritize reopening tourism to Chinese visitors after Russia.
Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, has ordered the development of modernized tourist destinations across the country. This includes areas near the North Korea-China border and in Samjiyon, close to Mount Baekdu, following the Kalma resort model. Experts anticipate that North Korea, which has long restricted foreign currency earnings due to COVID-19, will gradually expand its tourism industry starting this year.