Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort Progresses Towards Completion
Kim Jong Un’s latest deadline to open the Wonsan-Kalma Beach Resort “by May” is just a few weeks away. Commercial satellite imagery indicates construction projects at the resort are rapidly approaching completion. Originally scheduled to open in 2019 but delayed largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the new target was set in July last year when Kim conducted a field guidance trip to the resort.
At the time of Kim’s trip, several areas of the resort appeared unfinished and since, additional efforts have seemed focused on those projects. Several finished areas of the resort have also been substantially changed, presumably because of Kim’s instructions during his July visit.
While imagery shows construction progress, the internal progress of the thousands of hotel rooms and facilities is unknown. When Kim visited another long-delayed construction project recently, the Pyongyang General Hospital, state media images showed a finished building but no furniture or medical equipment.
Another big question yet to be answered is who the target clientele for the resort is. Will the resort cater to foreign or domestic tourists? The answer could become clear in the coming weeks and months, assuming the resort begins accepting visitors. Kim hinted at some international use in December, when he said the resort was of a quality to “host even important external, political and cultural events of the state.”
Amphitheater
Just before Kim’s visit last year, an amphitheater that sat on the beach at roughly the center of the resort was demolished. Imagery shows the amphitheater has been reconstructed approximately 325 meters to the south and a new, large rectangular building has been built in the original location. Its purpose is unclear, but the building’s location offers an unobstructed view of the sea.
Water Park
The water park has sat barren for several years, but imagery reveals colorful slides were added by late March and the pool has been lined.
Possible Arena
The roof of a building previously identified as a possible arena appears to be finished, although construction material in the courtyard in front of the building indicates work remains ongoing.
Sports Complex
Still on the to-do list is an area at the northern end of the resort that once had a football (soccer) pitch and athletics track. Both were torn up after Kim’s visit and have not been replaced. Possible building foundations are visible in the complex’s place.
Figure 4a. Sports complex prior to demolition on imagery from August 9, 2024. Image Pleiades NEO © Airbus DS 2025. For media options, please contact [email protected]; Figure 4b. Imagery from April 7, 2025 shows the football (soccer) pitch adn track have been demolished. Image © 2025 Planet Labs, PBC cc-by-nc-sa 4.0. For media licensing options, please contact [email protected].