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Russian agency begins attracting tourists to N. Korea's new beach resort

Published: 09 Aug. 2025, 12:06 Updated: 10 Aug. 2025, 11:27

Wonsan-Kalma Coastal tourist zone in North Korea [YONHAP]

A Russian travel agency has begun promoting tours for foreign visitors to North Korea's new beach resort, its website showed Saturday, following a period during which entry for foreign nationals had been temporarily suspended.

Vostok Intur, a Vladivostok-based travel agency, announced on its website that it will offer all-inclusive packages for travel to the Kalma resort in Wonsan from Aug. 25 to Sept. 1.

On the first day, it said, travelers will take a bus from Vladivostok to Russia's Khasan Station, then transfer to a train and enter North Korea via the Tumen River Station, before heading to the tourist zone.

The seven-night, eight-day package includes accommodation at a four-star hotel, all meals, and a Russian-speaking tour guide.

For groups of three to five people, the price is $1,250 per person plus an additional 20,000 rubles ($250), amounting to roughly $1,500 per person, according to the agency. Larger groups receive discounted rates.

The agency described the tour as a unique opportunity to experience North Korea's culture and history, largely untouched by Western influence.

North Korea opened the Kalma beach resort on July 1 but abruptly suspended foreign tourist entry on July 18, sparking speculation that the halt was to address shortcomings discovered during its trial operation.

Yonhap

Yonhap