North Korea Completes Construction of New Tourist Area on East Coast

North Korea inaugurated a new tourist zone on the country's east coast, according to a state media report on Friday, after opening the Kalma beach resort last year as an effort to boost the tourism industry.

The inauguration ceremony for the Yombunjin Beach Park Area in North Hamgyong Province took place on Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), as quoted by The Korea Times (23/1).

In July 2011, North Korea began construction of a hotel in the Yombunjin coastal area at the instruction of then-leader Kim Jong-il, but construction was delayed for a long time.

The current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, who is also Kim Jong-il's son, inspected the site in 2018, ordering a review of the hotel's design and the construction of a modern beach park.

KCNA reported that Yombunjin Haeyang Hostel and the beach area were built very well, with facilities ranging from cinemas and shops to video game arenas.

"(This tourist park) will provide good rest and satisfactory comfort not only for residents of the province but also for people who stop by for business trips," said the Chairman of the North Hamgyong Provincial People's Committee Pak Myong-ho in his speech at the ceremony.

North Korea is known to have been trying to develop a tourism industry, a real effort to earn much-needed foreign exchange amid international sanctions.

In July last year, North Korea opened the Wonsan Kalma tourist area on the east coast in an effort to attract foreign tourists.

Ahead of a crucial party congress expected to be held next month, North Korea has accelerated the completion of major construction projects.

Earlier this week, North Korea inaugurated the Onpho Workers' Holiday Camp, a hot spring resort in North Hamgyong Province, after years of renovation.