**[Anchor]**
North Korea opened the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a large-scale complex resort area, earlier this month.
North Korean travel agencies are reportedly selling tour packages to locals, that is, residents, at much lower prices than the regular price. Despite the discount, the cost of a 4-night, 5-day package is said to be $100 per person.
This is reporter Ji Seong-rim.
**[Reporter]**
This is North Korea’s top beach, known as “Myeongsasimni,” so-named for its roughly 4-kilometer stretch of fine, white sand.
Since 2018, North Korea invested seven years in constructing a large-scale complex resort area here, and it was promoted with a grand completion ceremony last month.
**[KCTV]** “The tourist area, with hotels and inns accommodating nearly 20,000 guests, offers fully equipped beach services and various sports and entertainment facilities, along with commercial and catering services…”
Opened officially on the 1st of this month, the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone seems to have the significant dual purpose of attracting foreign tourists to earn foreign currency and satisfying domestic tourism demand.
Reports suggest that, around the time of the opening, travel agencies across North Korea sold tour packages, including round-trip transportation, to residents nationwide.
A source on North Korea said, “The Wonsan-Kalma Zone travel package was originally $100 for 1 night and 2 days, but at Kim Jong-un’s direction, they offer a 4-night, 5-day package to locals for $100.”
The source continued, “Tourists from areas near the China-North Korea border purchase the tour packages with Chinese currency instead of dollars” and explained, “Well-off residents are eager to buy the discounted travel packages.”
The source also mentioned, “Tourists from areas closer to Wonsan, such as Pyongyang and South Hamgyong Province, travel by bus, while those from more distant regions like North Hamgyong and Ryanggang Provinces travel by train.”
In North Korea, it is assessed that since the hardship period of the mid-1990s known as the “Arduous March,” there has been a significant increase in residents who have accumulated wealth through market activities and the underground economy, leading to a rise in tourism demand.
This has been Ji Seong-rim, Yonhap News TV.
**[Video Editing: Park Jin-hee]**
**[Graphics: Kang Young-jin]**
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