Tourists Explore Abandoned Amusement Park in North Korea, Accompanied by Government Chaperones, with Phone Surveillance
Russian tourists visiting North Korea's newly opened Wonsan-Kalma beach resort, often referred to as the "Benidorm of North Korea," have reported a diverse mix of high service standards, strict surveillance, and accommodation peculiarities.
Officially launched in July 2025, the resort, designed after Spanish coastal resorts such as Benidorm, boasts a 2.5-mile-long artificial white sand beach, water parks, high-speed boats, and recreational amenities capable of hosting nearly 20,000 visitors[1][4]. Russian tourists, who arrived under package tours, have praised the sumptuous meals, scenic beaches, and the impressive scale of the resort, showcasing the country's ambition to promote tourism despite international sanctions and pandemic-related setbacks[1][3].
However, these tourists have also shared that their experience was tightly controlled by constant monitoring. They were accompanied everywhere by local "minders," or chaperones, who masked their surveillance under polite attentiveness. Devices such as mobile phones were feared to be bugged, and interactions were closely watched, limiting privacy and freedom of movement[2]. One traveler noted how small requests, like for a kettle, were met immediately but also tracked closely by staff, illustrating the unusual accommodation atmosphere[2].
In addition, despite claims to capacity, many sun loungers at the beach were reportedly left empty, suggesting the resort is not yet fully busy or accessible widely beyond select guests[2]. The high-priced Russian packages—including transport from Vladivostok and Pyongyang by train and plane—indicate the resort’s current client base is niche and carefully vetted[3].
The train provided for the group was new, comfortable, and air-conditioned. As the tourists made their way to the eastern city of Vladivostok, they observed villages and people working in the fields from the train windows[5]. Upon arrival at Wonsan, some tourists found their hotel was full due to visiting officials and journalists accompanying Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, and they were moved to inferior accommodation[6].
Despite the concerns about wiretapping and surveillance at the resort, tourist Daria Zubkova mentioned that she and other tourists were not afraid because they had nothing to say that would make someone scold them[7]. Another tourist, Lyudmila, expressed interest in riding the train to see the mountains in North Korea.
The resort, once a missile test site, features a giant artificial white sand beach. It was opened by dictator Kim Jong Un[8]. In a related news, Vladimir Putin has suddenly cancelled Russia's naval parade after losses in the Ukraine war[9].
References:
- Russia Today
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- The Telegraph
- The Siberian Times
- The Moscow Times
- Daria Zubkova's Blog
- North Korea Leadership Watch
- Reuters
- The diverse mix of experiences in North Korea's Wonsan-Kalma beach resort, often compared to Spain's Benidorm, includes luxurious meals, scenic beaches, and a strict surveillance system, making it an interesting travel destination for Russia's tourists.
- In addition to their travel experiences, Russian tourists visiting the Wonsan-Kalma beach resort have adapted to a unique lifestyle influenced by constant monitoring, limited privacy, and carefully vetted accommodations, allowing them to explore a distinctive aspect of North Korea's culture and hospitality.
