North Korea has, however, been looking to boost its tourism offerings in an effort to revitalize its ailing economy. After decades of sustained embargo, Kim said the opening of Wonsan Kalma would be a “proud first step” in bringing to life the government’s vision of a thriving tourism market.

The Wonsan-Kalma beach resort is North Korea's biggest tourist site. KCNA said North Korea will begin service for domestic tourists next Tuesday. It didn't say when North Korea will start receiving foreign tourists, but Russian officials said later Thursday that the first Russian tour to the site will happen in July.

North Korea has completed construction of a massive tourist zone on its east coast, state media reported on Thursday, a key project driven by leader Kim Jong Un for years to promote tourism. With "great satisfaction",