Kim Jong-un wants to boost tourism
Kim Jong-un inspects Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist district in Gangwon Province (top) and hot spring resorts at Yangdok County in South Pyongan Province (below). KCNA via Yonhap
By Jung Da-min
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently visited major tourist facilities and encouraged officials, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday.
With his wife Ri Sol-ju, Kim inspected the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist district in Gangwon Province under construction and encouraged workers there, saying it would be “a very nice gift” for the people of North Korea once completed.
He stressed that the project should be finished by Oct. 10 2019 ― the foundation anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
The fact that Kim visited the site only three months ago shows how much he cares about the project, observers say.
During his visit, Kim also said such projects were part of North Korea's "do-or-die struggle" against “hostile forces trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade.”
Kim and Lee were accompanied by top-ranking party officials, including Kim Su-gil, director of the Korean People's Army's general political bureau, and Hwang Pyong-so, first vice department director of the WPK's central committee.
The KCNA reported that Kim also inspected hot spring resorts in Yangdok County in South Pyongan Province and ordered construction workers (Korean People's Army soldiers) to develop the area as a special tourist district with additional healthcare facilities and resorts.