A new Benidorm-style beach resort is being built in North Korea at the request of Kim Jong-Un – and Brits will be welcome to visit.
The dictator wants the holiday destination built in Wonsan Kalma on the west coast, up and running within months. The resort will bit kitted out with water parks, hotels and an airfield.
Kim’s inspiration came after his officials were left ‘amazed’ during a research trip to Spain’s Costa Blanca in 2017.
The project, which seeks to bring in foreign money and kick start the country’s tourism industry, began three years ago but was put to a halt at the beginning of the pandemic.
Photos from before 2020 showed the despot grinning looking at high-rise hotels and sea view villas with 150 villas said to be built along the peninsula.
The dictator wants the holiday destination, being built in Wonsan Kalma on the west coast, up and running within months. Pictured: A general view of the Wonsan Kalma tourist zone
The project, which seeks to bring in foreign money and kick start the country’s tourism industry, began three years
James Finnerty, of Lupine Travel, which runs tours to the state, said it is not ‘quite what people imagine’ adding that Wonsan is ‘a little more relaxed’ compared with the capital Pyongyang.
North Korea expert Michael Madden told The Sun: ‘Provided the Foreign Office does not have such restrictions, if the Wonsan Kalma resort is complete and the DPRK resumes issuing tourist visas then, yes, UK tourists will be able to visit the resort.
‘It is safe to assume that some North Korean tourism companies will market specialist tours of the country’s beaches.’
Most countries, however, advise against travel to North Korea. The UK Foreign Office advise against ‘all but essential travel’ to North Korea.
Kim’s inspiration came after his officials were left ‘amazed’ during a research trip to Spain ‘s Costa Blanca in 2017
Photos from before 2020 showed the despot grinning looking at high-rise hotels and sea view villas with 150 villas said to be built along the peninsula
It says: ‘While daily life in the capital city Pyongyang may appear calm, the security situation can change quickly with no advance warning about possible actions by the authorities. This poses significant risks to British visitors and residents.’
Americans are even banned from travelling to the region unless they get an exemption from the Department of State.
Dr Edward Howell, a lecturer at the University of Oxford who specialises on contemporary North Korea, added that the country has been slow to reopen its border since the pandemic.
‘It will be some time before tourism returns to pre-pandemic levels,’ he added.