North Korea, which is focusing on revitalizing its tourism industry, is developing another tourist spot on the east coast in North Hamgyong Province after recently opening the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourism area.
The Korean Central News Agency reported today (11th) that the construction of the Yeombunjin coastal park area is in its final stages, stating that “officials and workers have set up service buildings such as shops and restaurants, followed by concentrating machinery and resources to complete the road construction.”
Additionally, it reported that work is underway on paving the courtyard, tiling the interior floors, and installing insulated windows at the Yeombunjin Marine Hotel.
Although a hotel was started in July 2011 on the picturesque coastal site near Chilbosan Mountain in North Hamgyong Province under the direction of Kim Jong Il, progress on the project was slow.
In July 2018, Kim Jong Un criticized the construction site, saying, “Six years after completing the frame construction, the interior plastering is still not finished,” and ordered a comprehensive review of the hotel design to fit a ‘modern aesthetic.’
At that time, Kim Jong Un noted that “Yeombunjin has exceptionally beautiful seaside scenery and good transportation conditions with nearby railways, waterways, and roads,” and directed the creation of a coastal park around the hotel with various accommodations and facilities along a 600-meter stretch of the coastline.
In March of this year, it was reported that Kim Jong Un approved specific business plans and proposals for the completion of the Yeombunjin Marine Hotel.
Earlier mentioned Yeombunjin Hotel and Marine Hotel may or may not be the same facility, but it appears North Korea is accelerating the establishment of lodging facilities to develop this area as a coastal tourist spot.
In July last year, during his guidance of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourism area construction project, Kim Jong Un emphasized, “Given the many beautiful scenic spots on the East Sea, such as Kumgangsan, Chilbosan, Majon, Gumya, Riwon, and Yeombunjin, we need to focus on reasonably utilizing the abundant tourism resources along the coast in the tourism industry.”
In an interview with the Tourism Promotion Agency journalist in September this year, a North Korean State Tourism Bureau official predicted that “based on the successes and experiences from Gama Peninsula development, various types of promising large-scale tourism and cultural districts will be established in several areas.”
[Photo Credit: Yonhap News / Korean Central News Agency]