North Korea bans foreigners from seaside resort weeks after opening

North Korea has imposed a temporary ban on foreign visitors to the Wonsan Kalma seaside resort, just weeks after its grand opening. The tourism authorities cited unspecified reasons for this decision, without providing further details. The Wonsan Kalma resort, which cost an estimated $600 million to develop, was touted as a major attraction aimed at boosting North Korea's tourism industry. It features luxury hotels, a marina, and other recreational facilities, and was opened with much fanfare in October 2019. The sudden ban on foreign visitors raises questions about the resort's operations and North Korea's overall tourism strategy. It also underscores the country's tight control over access to its territory, particularly for international visitors. The decision comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between North Korea and the international community over the country's nuclear program. The ban is likely to further limit the flow of foreign visitors to North Korea, which has been a key concern for the government in its efforts to generate much-needed revenue from the tourism sector.