North Korea Opens Benidorm-Style Wonsan Resort to Russian Tourists Amid Rights Concerns

North Korea has opened the Wonsan Kalma resort, a luxury beach destination modeled after Spain's Benidorm, with the goal of attracting over one million tourists primarily from Russia and China. The resort features 43 beachfront hotels, guest houses on an artificial lake, camping sites, an aquatic park with water slides, entertainment venues, and other amenities designed to rival international beach resorts. Despite the grand opening and the arrival of the first Russian tourists, the project has faced significant criticism due to reports of forced labor and harsh working conditions during construction, as highlighted by satellite imagery investigations and human rights organizations including the UN. The resort is part of an effort to boost North Korea's economy and strengthen ties with Russia, while cautiously opening the country to limited foreign tourism. However, skepticism remains about its appeal to Western tourists, given the country's militarized, closed environment and ongoing human rights concerns. Construction progress appears to have stalled since 2018, raising questions about the project's future trajectory.