US EditionNorth Korea's Kim visits hot tubs, BBQ joints at lavish new mountain resort
Kim Jong Un and daughter Ju-ae toured five new luxury hotels with leisure amenities as part of efforts to boost tourism and earn hard currency amid sanctions.
- On Dec 23, 2025, KCNA reported North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened a lavish mountain resort in Samjiyon, Ryanggang province, featuring five newly built hotels near Mount Paektu.
- Pushing to boost tourism, Kim sought to highlight economic progress ahead of the Korean Workers' Party congress next year as officials framed Samjiyon tourist zone to earn hard currency amid sanctions and Russian and Western tourists returned.
- Kim inspected barbecue restaurants, hot tubs, indoor and outdoor baths, toured hotel bedrooms and leisure spaces, and personally tested mattress firmness, with KCNA calling the resort `clear proof of the ever-growing ideal of our people and our state's potential for development.`
- State media said the five newly completed hotels could serve as core accommodation facilities, and analysts say foreign tourists are the main target, with visits possibly rewarding productive workers.
- Samjiyon's proximity to Mount Paektu gives it symbolic value, state media said the resort can hold 20,000 visitors, contrasting with North Korea's 118th Global Hunger Index ranking and child malnutrition.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Kim Jong Un opened a luxurious mountain resort in North Korea, which would be aimed at senior North Korean officials. According to international agencies, the place has leisure spaces, restaurants, roasting areas and jacuzzis. Even the place came along with his daughter, who would be called Ju-ae, who was designated as his possible successor. Lee also... The successor of the North Korean leader? What is known about Kim Jong's enigmatic daughter …
PEKIN.– North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inaugurated a new luxury resort in the mountainous city of Samiyon, in the north of the country, in a clear sign of the regime’s commitment to the development of tourism as an alternative source of income in the midst of diplomatic isolation and international sanctions. The venture, which includes high-end hotels, thermal baths, restaurants and leisure spaces, was presented by the state press as a sample o…
North Korea's Kim Jong Un tours hotels with daughter, lauds economic progress
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the opening ceremonies of hotels in a tourist zone of the country with his daughter Ju Ae, as he sought to highlight the country's economic progress before a key party congress due to take place early next year.
Accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae, the North Korean leader opened a new tourist complex in Samjiyon, which is intended to symbolize the country's economic progress and stability ahead of the upcoming party congress.
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