Kim Jong Un Makes a Beachy Tourism Bet

North Korea has unveiled its latest attempt to boost its struggling economy: the Wonsan Kalma beach resort, a sprawling location on its eastern coast that opened Tuesday. The move highlights Kim Jong Un's ongoing bet on tourism as an economic lifeline amid strict international sanctions—though with a largely closed-border policy since the pandemic, it's unclear whether it'll bring the windfall Kim had hoped. What you need to know:

• The resort, initially set to open in 2019 before construction and COVID delayed its progress, includes a 2.5-mile-long beach and can reportedly accommodate up to 20,000 people. The BBC points out that Kim "grew up in luxury in Wonsan, where many of the country's elite have private villas, and has been trying to transform the town, which once hosted a missile testing site."
• The New York Times reports Kim warmed to the idea of tourism after punishing sanctions were imposed by the UN in 2017 that put a stop to the country's coal and textiles exports. Tourism was seen as a workaround way to bring in cash, but it remains limited. Before the pandemic, over 90% of foreign visitors were from China, but Beijing has yet to permit its citizens to return, reports the AP.
• Russian tourists are the primary foreign visitors allowed in currently, reflecting closer ties between Russia and North Korea as the two countries bolster cooperation in the face of Western sanctions. Russians are expected to be granted access to the beach this summer, though the Times notes few are expected to come due to "poor road conditions between the Russian border and Kalma Beach."
• The AP cites records that show just 880 Russian tourists came to North Korea last year, a limited influx that is unlikely to alter the country's economic situation.