2 hours Ago By [email protected] (Antony Clements-Thrower)
Hundreds of Brits signed up to visit North Korea’s “Benidorm” beach resort have been warned their safety is not guaranteed. Kim Jong-un reportedly sent a fact-finding mission to Spain's Costa Blanca in 2017 in an attempt to learn about sunkissed holidays . After several years of delays the resort, known as Wonsan and built at a former missile launch site, is ready for its first visitors from abroad arriving through a travel agency in Vladivostok, Russia .
Campaigners warn holidaymakers’ safety is not assured during their break. Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, said a visit was both unsafe and immoral. He said: "The Wonsan-Kalma resort was built with forced labour.
Vacationing there is morally and ethically wrong - it is truly an abomination. "Having Russian nationals vacation there is testament to the pathetic isolation of both Russia and North Korea. Even if foreign visitors are from Russia, their safety can never be guaranteed.
” There are several examples of foreigners falling foul of North Korea’s rules. Otto Warmbier, an American student arrested on dubious charges during a trip to Pyongyang in 2016. Accused of taking down a propaganda poster, he was detained for 17 months, released in a vegetative state and died.
In 2008, a South Korean tourist was shot and killed when he strayed too far from his resort. He allegedly entered a military area and others have spent years rotting in Kim's prisons. Mr Scarlatoiu added: “The tragedy of Otto Warmbier continues to loom large.
No one, not even Russian nationals, should travel to North Korea." Vostok Intur's seven-night Wonsan itinerary includes four beach days, and is priced at $1,400 ( £1,125) with an additional charge of 35,000 rubles ( £286). Departure dates for sale include July 7, August 4, and August 18.
It is currently unclear when western tourists will be allowed to visit North Korea. On The Beach said it was not currently offering holidays there and was "surprised" at the level of interest. Zoe Harris, chief customer officer, said: "We're always on the lookout for the next best thing when it comes to all-inclusive resorts in incredible destinations.
We were intrigued whether Brits would be interested in the new Wonsan resort and so we set up a page where people could register their interest. "We were surprised to see more than 250 holidaymakers put their names down. I don't envisage us Brits swapping Benidorm for a North Korean Benidorm anytime soon.
"If the doors to the Wonsan resort are opened to British holidaymakers it looks like there will be some who want to experience it.".
