Pyongyang: North Korea has inaugurated a significant new beach resort in the eastern coastal region of Kalma, with leader Kim Jong Un heralding it as one of the year's major achievements, state media reported Thursday. Kim officially opened the 4-kilometer-long Kalma coastal tourist area on Tuesday, marking its completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

According to Anadolu Agency, the resort will begin welcoming domestic tourists starting July 1. The expansive site includes housing, hotels, and hostels with a capacity to accommodate nearly 20,000 guests, both from within North Korea and internationally. The facility boasts amenities for sea swimming, sports, recreation, and a variety of commercial and public dining options.

Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area in setting a precedent for North Korea's tourism culture, considering it a foundational step in the country's cultural tourism development. Kim's attendance was notable as he was joined by his daughter, Ju-ae, and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, who made her first public appearance since a New Year's Day arts performance on January 1, 2024.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended by Russian ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora. In a related development, Western tourists entered North Korea in February for the first time in five years, following the reopening of Pyongyang's touristic border city, Rason, near China. The city had been closed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.