North Korea Unveils New Kalma Beach Resort to Boost Tourism
SEOUL, June 26 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- North Korea has completed a large-scale beach resort in Kalma, on the country's eastern coast, with leader Kim Jong Un calling it one of the nation's top achievements this year, Yonhap news agency reported.
According to state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the completion ceremony was held on Wednesday with Kim in attendance.
The Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area features hotels and hostels with capacity for nearly 20,000 domestic and foreign guests. It includes facilities for swimming, sports, recreation and public dining.
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The resort spans a 4-kilometre stretch of beach and is designed to provide year-round leisure, KCNA said.
Kim called the resort one of the country's greatest successes this year and said it should lead the development of North Korea's tourism sector.
The upcoming Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea is expected to endorse further plans to build similar tourist areas elsewhere, Kim added.
Kim was accompanied by his daughter, Ju-ae, and wife, Ri Sol Ju, marking Ri's first public appearance since January.
The Russian ambassador and embassy staff also attended the event, suggesting Russia could be a key foreign market for the new resort.
The resort is scheduled to open to local tourists on July 1.
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