[North Korea and the World] Prospects for the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area and the Possibility of South Korean Tourist Visits

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVhbzHxMCnQ

Video Script

North Korea must retract its declaration of 'permanent peace' to South Korea, and substantive denuclearization by North Korea must precede it. I believe this is the only way for the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, which Kim Jong Un has spent ten years building, to avoid remaining a monstrosity. Hello, and thank you for watching "North Korea and the World with Park Won-gon." Today, we will discuss North Korea. The Trump administration has been generating numerous issues that appear in the news almost daily. As you can see from the items listed before me, I have analyzed that there are still significant challenges to the ROK-US alliance. Nevertheless, as this program is "North Korea and the World with Park Won-gon," I intend to focus on North Korea-related agendas. The reason for discussing North Korea less, rather than neglecting it, is that North Korea has been surprisingly quiet.

Following the advent of the Trump administration and the emergence of South Korea's new government, the typical pattern of provocations by North Korea has significantly diminished. While North Korea is, as you know, seeking a way out through its close ties with Russia, it has relatively less frequently appeared in direct issues or discussions. Therefore, I have had to speak less about North Korea. However, today, as has been widely reported in the media, I will discuss the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area. North Korea held an event there on June 24, attended by Chairman Kim Jong Un himself. Following this, it was extensively covered by domestic media, and North Korea showed Kim Jong Un meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister on his yacht. Thus, I believe there is considerable interest. Furthermore, although our government has not yet officially commented, discussions about individual tourism for South Koreans are resurfacing, making it necessary to consolidate and review this matter.

First, I will discuss the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, and then whether we can truly visit there – I would like to see it myself. I visited Geumgangsan in 2008, the year it closed, and the experience was profoundly different. Having lived abroad for some time, I have seen magnificent natural landscapes in various countries, but Geumgangsan still touches the Korean sensibility in a unique way. I recall visiting in February 2008, a very cold time, and we were unable to descend for a long time after reaching the summit. The emotional impact and the feelings evoked were immense, and that memory is still vivid. If I were to visit Myeongsa Sibri in Wonsan, with its beautiful beach stretching over 4 kilometers, I admit I am somewhat disappointed by the modern facilities. In the past, it was a pine forest, so I believe one could have experienced more of the natural landscape and felt more deeply. Nevertheless, as a Korean, the sentiment remains, and I would like to visit if given the opportunity.

Background and Significance of the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area Project

First, let me discuss the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area. This is a long-cherished project of Kim Jong Un. The initial plan was announced in June 2014, and it took 10 years. The completion date was postponed approximately six times. After 10 years, the completion ceremony was finally held on June 24. Kim Jong Un described it as a "new landscape of civilized socialist development" and boasted of it as one of the key achievements for this year, which marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea.

North Korea has emphasized tourism since the Kim Jong Il era. The reason is, as you can imagine, that tourism is an efficient tool for earning much-needed foreign currency. The Geumgangsan tourism, mentioned earlier, also began during Kim Jong Il's tenure. Kim Jong Un is, in fact, far more committed to tourism. Consequently, he opened the Masikryong Ski Resort in 2013, followed by the Yangdok Hot Spring Cultural Recreation Area and the Samjiyon tourist area. However, no other tourism project has received the same scale of investment or been as large as the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, making it the most significant tourism destination. For reference, the Masikryong Ski Resort, opened in 2013, is now ten years old and boasts the longest ski slopes in East Asia, according to information I have gathered, though I have not visited myself.

There are even testimonies that Ko Yong Hui was summoned to Wonsan. What can be stated with certainty is that Kim Jong Un has a strong fondness for Wonsan. Kim Jong Un possesses several villas, referred to as 'guest houses,' and there is definitely a villa in Wonsan. He has also publicly displayed his yacht. It is well-known that former NBA player Dennis Rodman visited this Wonsan guest house in 2013 at Kim Jong Un's invitation. Therefore, it is plausible that Kim Jong Un's personal connection and fondness for Wonsan led to this large-scale development project. Based on currently known facts, the completed facilities include Myeongsa Sibri, approximately 4.2 km long, with 15 hotels, 28 resorts, and apartment-style lodging villages. This information comes from Dr. Cho Han-beom, a North Korea researcher who studied in Russia and published an article in a newspaper. I attempted to verify this information through other sources but was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, these are Dr. Cho Han-beom's findings. The daily accommodation capacity is 20,000 people. I believe the Ministry of Unification has also confirmed this figure. The six zones centered around Wonsan are designated as tourist areas, including Geumgangsan, with a total accommodation capacity of 20,000 people. Twenty thousand people is a substantial capacity. I am unsure if any facility in South Korea can accommodate 20,000 people simultaneously. This past summer, I attended an event at the Inspark Ski Resort in Pyeongchang, which can accommodate 10,000 people. Even for a gathering of 10,000 university students, it was quite large.

Twenty thousand people is an unimaginably large scale. However, the crucial question is whether this project can succeed. To state my conclusion upfront, large-scale projects like this typically undergo feasibility studies and demand surveys. It appears evident that North Korea did not conduct these. While I do not have access to materials to confirm this directly, the reason I say this is due to the nature of the North Korean regime: once a 'Number 1 order' is issued – referring to the supreme leader – it must be carried out. Kim Jong Un made numerous on-site inspections of the Wonsan-Kalma development, often accompanied by Ri Sol-ju. I haven't counted, but he visited frequently. Therefore, this project, being a priority for the 'Number 1,' inevitably receives utmost attention. Furthermore, under the North Korean system, directives issued during on-site inspections are implemented immediately without any counterarguments or further review. This practice significantly distorts North Korea's economic system. It began during the Kim Il Sung era, and Kim Il Sung,

There are also testimonies that Ko Yong Hui was summoned to Wonsan. What I can say with certainty is that Kim Jong Un has a strong fondness for Wonsan. Kim Jong Un possesses several villas, referred to as 'guest houses,' and he definitely has a villa in Wonsan. He has also publicly displayed his yacht. It is well-known that in 2013, former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman visited one of these Wonsan guest houses at Kim Jong Un's invitation. In any case, it is plausible that the large-scale development in Wonsan is due to Kim Jong Un's personal memories and affection for the area. According to currently known facts, the completed facilities include Myeongsa Sibri, approximately 4.2 km long, with 15 hotels, 28 resorts, and apartment-style guesthouses. This information was obtained from Dr. Cho Han-beom, a North Korea researcher who studied in Russia, who published it in a newspaper. While I have been unable to verify this information through other sources, it is what Dr. Cho Han-beom reported.

Feasibility and Efficiency Issues of the Wonsan-Kalma Project

The daily accommodation capacity is 20,000 people. I believe the Ministry of Unification has also confirmed this. Six areas centered around Wonsan are designated as tourist destinations, including Geumgangsan, with accommodation facilities capable of housing 20,000 people. Twenty thousand people is a very large capacity. I am unsure if there are any domestic facilities that can accommodate 20,000 people at once. This past summer, I attended a rally at the Inspark Ski Resort in Pyeongchang, which can accommodate 10,000 people. It was a very large gathering of 10,000 university students. A capacity of 20,000 people is unimaginably large. However, the question is whether this can truly be successful.

To state the conclusion first, when undertaking such large-scale projects, feasibility studies and demand surveys are naturally conducted. It appears relatively clear that North Korea has not done this. While I do not have direct access to materials to confirm this, the reason I say this is due to the nature of the North Korean regime: once a Number 1 order is issued, referring to the Supreme Leader, it must be carried out without question. Therefore, Kim Jong Un has made numerous on-site inspections during the development of this area, Wonsan-Kalma, sometimes accompanied by Ri Sol Ju. I haven't counted, but he has visited many times. This means it is bound to be a top priority project that Number 1, Kim Jong Un, is directly interested in. Furthermore, directives issued through on-site inspections are implemented immediately within the North Korean system without any dissent or further review. This is what significantly distorts North Korea's economic system: the on-site inspections. This practice began during Kim Il Sung's era, and neither Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, nor Kim Jong Un are economic experts. They frequently conduct on-site inspections and issue directives based on the specific characteristics of the region. However, economics requires integrated, planned execution, especially in what is still referred to as North Korea's socialist planned economy, considering the allocation of various resources. Decisions are made on the spot. Consequently, significant economic distortions are inevitable. As mentioned, because it is a Number 1 directive, it must be fulfilled, and all resources must be prioritized for its investment.

A prime example of inefficiency in Kim Jong Un's style is when he visited a North Korean cosmetics factory and ordered the creation of a world-class cosmetic brand within six months. Is this possible in just six months, not even a day or two? While Korean cosmetics are excellent, they are the result of considerable research, sales, and development over a long period. Without naming specific brands, those featured in North Korean media are well-known international brands. To demand the creation of such a standard in six months is impossible. However, because it was a Number 1 directive from an on-site inspection, North Korea complied. Later reports suggest that it was a matter of packaging. Since they couldn't produce it, they allegedly bought cosmetics from China, put North Korean labels on them, and presented them. How could production facilities be completely changed within six months? It's an impossible task, and what about development? It makes no sense. This is known as a representative case of how on-site inspections distort the North Korean economy.

Limitations in Transportation Infrastructure and Resort Competitiveness

The Wonsan-Kalma project also exhibits these characteristics. In a way, it can be judged as a crystallization of irrationality and inefficiency. It is difficult to imagine a legitimate private company undertaking such a project. Let me explain why, one by one. First, there is the issue of transportation infrastructure. Resorts in a coastal tourist area require longer stays. To enjoy the resort and keep the facilities active, high repeat visitation rates are essential. This implies that transportation must be excellent. I believe everyone is well aware of the poor state of transportation in North Korea. For international tourists to visit, air routes must be secured. Currently, only Russian tourists are arriving; Chinese tourists are not. Even for Russian tourists, only 170 passengers per day are guaranteed on flights to Pyongyang. The problem is that they built the Wonsan-Kalma International Airport, reportedly at a cost of $300 million.

In any case, one must travel to the airport. This means the travel distance is continuously increasing, complicating the itinerary. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the entire trip exceeds one week. Consequently, the cost increases to approximately 2.4 million Korean Won, or about $1,800 USD, per person. This is more than the average Russian salary, and tourists must pay this much to visit. Therefore, significant deficiencies are apparent in terms of transportation infrastructure. Second, this is a resort area. As you have seen, and as images and YouTube videos show, it is designed as a summer resort. However, there are significant question marks regarding its competitiveness as a resort.

Natural Environment and Seasonal Constraints

Foreigners visiting North Korea—excluding Americans, of course, and mostly from some Western countries, China, and Russia—visit for a kind of 'forbidden land' experience, adventure tourism. Because North Korea is so closed off, few people consider visiting. However, among tourists, there are enthusiasts who want to go where others don't. For Chinese tourists, it's like a time travel experience reminiscent of China in the 1960s and 1970s—a rather sad thought, but that's why they visit. Wonsan-Kalma, however, is a resort with modern facilities. Will Chinese and Russian tourists visit, paying this much? China has many such tourist destinations, notably Hainan, known as China's Hawaii. For Russian tourists, considering travel from Moscow or other cities, it is too far. Sochi or the Black Sea, with its beautiful Winter Olympics facilities, are much more accessible and known to be cheaper. Nowadays, Russian tourists also frequently visit Turkey, Thailand, and Malaysia, which are more affordable and have shorter travel times. It is highly doubtful whether it can compete with such destinations.

Third is the natural environment. As I mentioned, it resembles Miami Beach, where President Trump has a villa, with its beautiful beaches. However, the area features condominium-style and open-plan hotels and resorts built along the coastline, with a lake nearby—a typical resort setting. The problem is that to enjoy such a resort, the climate must be suitable for year-round accommodation, or at least for ten months a year. Wonsan is located north of Sokcho, Goseong, and Yangyang in South Korea. I checked, and the average seawater temperature for swimming must be above 20 degrees Celsius, but it is 4 degrees Celsius lower than Sokcho, meaning it's cold. The period for swimming is limited to July and August. Furthermore, it rains for about half of July and half of August. Therefore, the actual period for swimming is less than a month, significantly shorter than on the East Coast of South Korea. Can such open-plan resorts operate effectively? Outside of the summer season, people would have to stay indoors, but the facilities require moving outdoors. In winter, it's extremely cold and windy. Can they operate under such conditions? If a private company, not just in South Korea but anywhere, were to build a resort, they wouldn't build it on such a large scale. They would likely create a complex facility with diverse options for different seasons. However, these facilities are all designed for summer. As I mentioned earlier, due to the Number 1 directive, the question arises again: were feasibility and demand assessments conducted? This leads to the conclusion that it is an overcapacity of facilities mismatched with demand, and the climatic and locational characteristics have been disregarded.

Limitations of the North Korean Domestic Market and the Need for South Korean Tourists

Another point is the North Korean domestic market. The resort opened on June 24th, and there are reports of foreign tourists being restricted in July. However, North Korean sources suggest an intention to boost the domestic market, meaning North Koreans would visit. Media footage from North Korea shows North Koreans present. Although a Russian journalist reported seeing the same individuals playing billiards repeatedly, let's consider whether North Koreans can utilize these facilities. According to the Bank of Korea, North Korea's per capita income in 2023 was 1.589 million Korean Won. It is one of the poorest countries in the world. Yet, a 4-night, 5-day package is reportedly being sold to North Korean residents for $100 per person, subsidized by the North Korean authorities. While $100 for 4 nights and 5 days is a small amount from our perspective, it is an unattainable dream for North Korean residents. Moreover, the deficit is likely to increase as more North Koreans visit. Therefore, it is clear that profitability cannot be achieved with the domestic market alone. The conclusion is self-evident: for North Korea to revitalize the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, it must accept South Korean tourists. Why?

Allow me to provide an illustrative example. Relations between Russia and North Korea are good. Putin has spoken of sending many tourists, but data shows that only about 800 Russian tourists visited North Korea in 2024. Chinese visitors are reported to be almost non-existent, and South Koreans cannot visit. Only about 800 Russian tourists visited, despite the close ties between North Korea and Russia. If the number of visitors decreases further during the summer, can the facilities operate? If South Korean tourists were to visit, there is a precedent. We had the Geumgangsan tourism project for 10 years, with an average of 190,000 visitors annually. In the early years of the decade, 193,000 people visited. I was among them. This means 190,000 people visited annually.

There is none. Furthermore, the North Korean domestic market is mentioned. The resort opened on June 24th, and there are reports of foreign tourists being restricted in July. North Korean sources suggest an intention to boost the domestic market, meaning North Koreans would visit. Media footage from North Korea shows North Koreans present. Although a Russian journalist reported seeing the same individuals playing billiards repeatedly, let's consider whether North Koreans can utilize these facilities. According to the Bank of Korea, North Korea's per capita income in 2023 was 1.589 million Korean Won.

It is one of the poorest countries in the world. However, a 4-night, 5-day package is reportedly being sold to North Korean residents for $100 per person, subsidized by the North Korean authorities. While $100 for 4 nights and 5 days is a small amount from our perspective, it is an unattainable dream for North Korean residents. Moreover, the deficit is likely to increase as more North Koreans visit. Therefore, it is clear that profitability cannot be achieved with the domestic market alone. The conclusion is self-evident: for North Korea to revitalize the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, it must accept South Korean tourists. Why?

Allow me to provide an illustrative example. Relations between Russia and North Korea are good. Putin has spoken of sending many tourists, but data shows that only about 800 Russian tourists visited North Korea in 2024. Chinese visitors are reported to be almost non-existent, and South Koreans cannot visit. Only about 800 Russian tourists visited, despite the close ties between North Korea and Russia. If the number of visitors decreases further during the summer, can the facilities operate? If South Korean tourists were to visit, there is a precedent. We had the Geumgangsan tourism project for 10 years, with an average of 190,000 visitors annually. In the early years of the decade, 193,000 people visited. I was among them. This means 190,000 people visited annually.

Excluding the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, the Ministry of Unification estimates North Korea's annual tourism capacity at approximately 200,000 people. This implies that South Korean tourists would almost fill that capacity. Wonsan and Geumgangsan are not far apart, and North Korea has constructed the Wonsan-Geumgangsan Expressway. I also traveled there by bus via Yangyang and Goseong. It is possible to link a visit to Geumgangsan with a trip to Wonsan-Kalma, creating a potential itinerary. We could travel by land or even by sea.

Prerequisites for Attracting South Korean Tourists

Accessibility is good. Furthermore, a sense of national kinship is clearly present, so South Korean tourists can visit. Let me address the most crucial point here. For South Korean tourists to visit, North Korea must retract its declaration of two states in hostile relations, proclaimed in December 2023, which clearly defines South Korea as an enemy. Subsequently, North Korea recently ceased its anti-South Korea broadcasts, stating it was a reciprocal measure for our government's suspension of broadcasts to the North. I do not believe this at all. North Korea's cessation of anti-South Korea broadcasts is a step taken in the process of implementing its policy, declared in December 2023, of not engaging in any relations with South Korea under the doctrine of two states in hostile relations.

There is no goodwill towards South Korea whatsoever. Therefore, for South Korean tourists to visit, North Korea's policy must change. Regardless of whether North Korea is a system of sole leadership where one person makes all decisions, for such decisions to be solidified, institutionalized, and proclaimed, they must be announced through plenary sessions or party congresses. Without that process, it cannot happen. But will North Korea truly retract the hostile two-state policy directly proclaimed by Kim Jong Un and revert to a policy of unification with a single nation?

Will it re-embrace the concept of a friendly nation towards South Korea? I believe there is no possibility of that. Considering that over the past year and a half, North Korea has erased the concept of unification and taken all measures to thoroughly antagonize South Korea, I do not think the possibility is high. Another point is that if South Korean tourists are unlikely to visit, then American or Western tourists should go. However, American tourists cannot go to North Korea. Following the Otto Warmbier incident, the U.S. State Department has not completely banned travel to North Korea, but it has made it practically impossible. Therefore, American tourists cannot go. If American tourists do not go, I believe it will be quite difficult for most Western tourists to go as well. For this to be possible, North Korea sanctions must be lifted, and the sanctions imposed by the United States on North Korea must be rescinded. The most crucial and sole prerequisite for that rescission is denuclearization by North Korea. As North Korea engages in negotiations with the United States and takes genuine and meaningful denuclearization steps, sanctions will be gradually eased. Therefore, currently

Sanctions and Realistic Constraints on Tourism

In this situation, for the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area to thrive, South Korean tourists must visit. However, two prerequisites are necessary besides that. First, North Korea must retract its declared policy of two states in hostile relations towards South Korea, and simultaneously, North Korea's genuine denuclearization must be implemented. I will conclude by briefly discussing sanctions. Individual tourism has been a point of contention since the previous administration, and the argument is that tourism itself does not constitute a sanction. That statement is not incorrect. This is because neither UN sanctions, South Korean sanctions on North Korea, nor general sanctions between countries imposed by the United States explicitly designate tourism as a target of sanctions.

which prohibits public and private financial support for trade with North Korea. Therefore, travel, as a service trade, cannot be permitted. While there may be room for differing interpretations, I agree with this interpretation in its broad sense. Thus, it is difficult. Furthermore, on a larger scale, the entities subject to sanctions are the North Korean government, authorities, and the Workers' Party of Korea. These are the targets of US government sanctions. Therefore, to engage in tourism, we would need to consult with the US government and obtain prior approval for sanctions exemptions for the North Korean government and the Workers' Party of Korea, which is impossible unless fundamental sanctions are lifted. Consequently, the most significant issue is the payment of tourism fees. Tourism fees cannot be paid. Therefore, even during the Moon Jae-in administration, when individual tourism was attempted, it was consistently hindered. While other factors were involved at the time, the US reportedly expressed concerns that bulk cash tourism, involving consolidated cash payments, could violate sanctions. This prevented the South Korean government from pursuing it further. Let me provide one or two more specific examples. What is needed for tourists to travel? Vehicles and airplanes. However, land and air travel between North and South Korea, including vehicles and aircraft, are also subject to sanctions in principle. For instance, if a South Korean civilian aircraft flies to North Korea, it faces sanctions. This is based on US Presidential Executive Orders 13461, 13551, and 13810, which impose comprehensive or partial restrictions on financial transactions, investments, and operations of vessels and aircraft with North Korea.

Specifically, Executive Order 13810 stipulates that vessels or aircraft engaged in trade with North Korea are prohibited from entering the United States for 180 days if they have visited North Korea. This is a six-month period. Consequently, what happened was that in 2018, when inter-Korean relations were good, for the preparatory meetings for the inter-Korean summit and participation in the unification basketball game on July 3, 2018, South Korean civilian airlines could not fly to North Korea because they would be barred from entering the US. Therefore, two military transport aircraft, C130H, belonging to the Air Force, were used for the trip. This was reported in the media. It was unavoidable. So, would civilian airlines be willing to fly to North Korea, facing the disadvantage of being barred from US entry? This means they cannot fly by plane. Another decisive factor, and perhaps the most critical concern, is that if one visits North Korea, there is a high probability of being denied a US visa. You may have experienced the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). One of the questions asks about your visit to North Korea. If you have visited North Korea since March 1, 2011, you must check this box. Checking this box automatically results in the denial of ESTA issuance. Even existing ESTAs can be invalidated if a visit to North Korea is discovered, making visa-free entry impossible. It's not that you cannot go at all, but individuals with a visit history since 2011 must submit relevant documents online and undergo an interview in English at the US Embassy. Of course, government officials traveling for official duties can obtain ESTA approval by presenting proof of their official visit, and even with a visit history,

a visit to the US is not entirely prohibited, and a visa can be obtained based on the purpose of travel. However, would one forgo ESTA and then queue up for an interview in English? Given Donald Trump's recent efforts to restrict entry, the possibility of visa denial is high. I believe it is difficult. Therefore, if we are faced with a choice between visiting Wonsan or the US, individual tourism, under the current circumstances, has significant limitations and is, in fact, practically impossible. The only viable option, as I reiterate, is for North Korea to change its policy towards South Korea and take substantial denuclearization measures. This is the only way for the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, developed by Kim Jong Un over ten years as his flagship project, to avoid becoming an eyesore. Thank you.

This is why the South Korean government could not proceed further. Let me provide one or two more specific examples. What is needed for tourists to travel? Vehicles and airplanes. However, land and air travel between North and South Korea, including vehicles and aircraft, are also subject to sanctions in principle. For instance, if a South Korean civilian aircraft flies to North Korea, it faces sanctions. This is based on US Presidential Executive Orders 13461, 13551, and 13810, which impose comprehensive or partial restrictions on financial transactions, investments, and operations of vessels and aircraft with North Korea.

Specifically, Executive Order 13810 stipulates that vessels or aircraft engaged in trade with North Korea are prohibited from entering the United States for 180 days if they have visited North Korea. This is a six-month period. Consequently, what happened was that in 2018, when inter-Korean relations were good, for the preparatory meetings for the inter-Korean summit and participation in the unification basketball game on July 3, 2018, South Korean civilian airlines could not fly to North Korea because they would be barred from entering the US. Therefore, two military transport aircraft, C130H, belonging to the Air Force, were used for the trip. This was reported in the media. It was unavoidable. So, would civilian airlines be willing to fly to North Korea, facing the disadvantage of being barred from US entry? This means they cannot fly by plane. Another decisive factor, and perhaps the most critical concern, is that if one visits North Korea, there is a high probability of being denied a US visa. You may have experienced the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). One of the questions asks about your visit to North Korea. If you have visited North Korea since March 1, 2011, you must check this box. Checking this box automatically results in the denial of ESTA issuance. Even existing ESTAs can be invalidated if a visit to North Korea is discovered, making visa-free entry impossible. It's not that you cannot go at all, but individuals with a visit history since 2011 must submit relevant documents online and undergo an interview in English at the US Embassy. Of course, government officials traveling for official duties can obtain ESTA approval by presenting proof of their official visit, and even with a visit history,

a visit to the US is not entirely prohibited, and a visa can be obtained based on the purpose of travel. However, would one forgo ESTA and then queue up for an interview in English? Given Donald Trump's recent efforts to restrict entry, the possibility of visa denial is high. I believe it is difficult. Therefore, if we are faced with a choice between visiting Wonsan or the US, individual tourism, under the current circumstances, has significant limitations and is, in fact, practically impossible. The only viable option, as I reiterate, is for North Korea to change its policy towards South Korea and take substantial denuclearization measures. This is the only way for the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, developed by Kim Jong Un over ten years as his flagship project, to avoid becoming an eyesore. Thank you.

a visit to the US is not entirely prohibited, and a visa can be obtained based on the purpose of travel. However, would one forgo ESTA and then queue up for an interview in English? Given Donald Trump's recent efforts to restrict entry, the possibility of visa denial is high. I believe it is difficult. Therefore, if we are faced with a choice between visiting Wonsan or the US, individual tourism, under the current circumstances, has significant limitations and is, in fact, practically impossible. The only viable option, as I reiterate, is for North Korea to change its policy towards South Korea and take substantial denuclearization measures. This is the only way for the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, developed by Kim Jong Un over ten years as his flagship project, to avoid becoming an eyesore. Thank you.

■ Park Won-gon, Director of the North Korea Research Center at the East Asia Institute (EAI) and Professor of North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University.

■ Management and Editing: Lim Jae-hyun, EAI Research Fellow

Inquiries: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 209) | jhim@eai.or.kr