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.

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.

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.