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| The Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist district is seen in this May file photo. KCNA-Yonhap |
By Jung Da-min
North Korea is stepping up its tourism push. The Workers' Party mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun on Thursday highlighted the country's tourism to mark World Tourism Day on Sept. 27.
Saying that North Korea has entered a new stage of development in tourism, the paper in its editorial touted such sites as the Masikryong Ski Resort and coastal tourist districts ― the Songdowon sea bathing resort in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, the Majon sea bathing resort in Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, and the Ryongsupo sea bathing resort in South Hwanghae Province.
In particular, the paper highlighted ongoing construction at the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourism zone in Kangwon Province. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has been stressing its completion by Oct. 10, 2019, the foundation anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
Kim visited the site in late August, about three months after his previous visit. He spoke about the project in his New Year speech.
The country's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in January the construction would be "a turning point in building Korea's tourism industry to world class," noting that the Wonsan-Kalma coastal zone is an ideal tourist hub that can connect attractions in the region.
The Mount Geumgang international tourist zone is about 110 kilometers south of the Wonsan area while Masikryong Ski Resort is about 20 kilometers north of Wonsan.
Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in and Kim agreed at their summit in Pyongyang last week to resume some inter-Korean projects, including the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Mount Geumgang tourism businesses, if certain "conditions" are met.
The two Koreas have also agreed to establish a joint special economic zone on the west coast and a special tourist zone on the east coast.
Mount Paektu, which Moon and Kim visited together on the last day of their summit, has also been receiving tourist attention locally and globally. During the visit, Kim told Moon he hopes South Koreans and overseas Koreans will visit Mount Paektu.
Construction projects in Samjiyon County, Ryanggang Province, where Mount Paektu is located and officially known as Kim Jong-un's hometown, have also been spurred, according to the North's state media.
North Korean media have also been promoting international events in an effort to attract foreign tourists.
According to DPR Korea Tour, a website run by North Korea's National Tourism Administration, programs for foreigners, including the Pyongyang International Green Building Materials and Furniture Exhibition and a tour for aviation enthusiasts, are scheduled for October. This follows international events in September ― the 14th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair, the 16th Pyongyang International Film Festival and the 2nd Pyongyang International Autumn Marathon.
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