Kim Bets Big on Beaches: North Korea Unveils Grand Tourism Vision at Wonsan Kalma

The strategic alignment with certain nations, particularly Russia, offers a potential avenue for a limited, controlled influx of foreign tourists. Reports of Russian tour groups already having visited other parts of the country, with plans for more, suggest a willingness to engage with specific partners. This selective approach allows the regime to reap economic benefits while minimizing perceived risks associated with a wider, more diverse international presence. The economic incentives, particularly for a nation facing stringent sanctions, make such partnerships strategically valuable.