North Korea inaugurated the Wonsan-Kalma resort, a seaside tourism city aimed at attracting foreign visitors. Despite severe hardships, Kim Jong Un promotes it as evidence of care for citizens.

Exports of luxury goods to North Korea are banned under U.N. sanctions but such items reportedly make their way into the country via diplomatic pouches.

Kim Jong Un has made tourism a top policy priority but the opening of the country's biggest tourist zone is yet to be followed by a return to international tourism.