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Kim Jong Un Visits North Korea's New Luxury Mountain Resort

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ts-north-korea-s-new-luxury-mountain-resort.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 22:40 GMT by Channel NewsAsia Singapore
      Locale: North Korea

Kim Jong Un’s Lavish Mountain Getaway: A Glimpse into North Korea’s New Luxury Resort

In a rare public outing that drew both curiosity and speculation, North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was photographed at a newly opened mountain resort that boasts hot‑tub pools, barbecue stalls, and an array of other high‑end amenities. The Channel News Asia feature, titled “North Korea’s Kim visits hot tubs, BBQ joints, lavish new mountain resort,” chronicles the leader’s excursion, the resort’s features, and the broader political context in which the development sits.

The Resort in the Mountains

Located in a remote alpine setting that overlooks the Chagang‑Do province, the resort—still unnamed in official releases—was designed to cater to the North Korean elite and diplomatic guests. The site spans several hectares of forested hill country and includes an impressive complex of facilities:

• Thermal Hot‑Tub Pools: Several indoor and outdoor pools, heated by geothermal sources, are lined with marble and glass panels, giving the impression of a “spa of the gods.” According to the article, these pools are accessible to members of the Workers’ Party and visiting officials, offering a relaxation environment that contrasts sharply with the austere conditions reported in the country’s general populace.

• Barbecue Joints: In a nod to Korean culinary tradition, the resort houses multiple barbecue stalls that serve grilled meat, fish, and vegetables prepared with high‑quality Korean beef and imported spices. The stalls are strategically placed along walking trails that lead to scenic vistas, allowing guests to enjoy both nature and cuisine.

• Other Luxury Amenities: The resort also features a private beach on a small lake, a high‑end restaurant with panoramic mountain views, a sports complex, and a small shopping plaza that stocks branded apparel and electronics—an element that was particularly striking given North Korea’s ongoing trade restrictions.

Photographs released by state media show Kim in a dark suit, seemingly relaxing in a hot‑tub while a local reporter describes him as “composed and approachable.” The leader’s appearance in such an opulent setting signals an attempt to project an image of personal comfort and self‑sufficiency, which the regime has long leveraged to reinforce its cult of personality.

Why the Resort Matters

On the surface, the resort appears to be a luxury retreat for a handful of high‑ranking officials. However, the feature article frames the development as part of a larger “new economic strategy” that North Korea has begun to hint at on the international stage. Analysts suggest that the resort could serve multiple political and economic objectives:

1. Domestic Signaling – By showcasing a facility that rivals those found in South Korea or Western countries, the regime signals that it has achieved a level of material prosperity that it can share, at least with the elite. The public image of Kim enjoying “hot tubs” and “barbecue joints” also functions as a propaganda tool that underscores the leader’s benevolence and personal enjoyment.

2. International Diplomacy – The resort’s opening aligns with a recent wave of diplomatic activity, including talks with China and the United States. Providing a luxurious environment for visiting officials serves to project goodwill and modernity, potentially smoothing negotiations over nuclear disarmament and sanctions relief.

3. Economic Experimentation – North Korea has long struggled with limited economic diversification. The resort’s inclusion of a private beach and branded retail space indicates a tentative move toward a “tourism‑friendly” economy that could generate revenue for the regime. While tourism is still tightly controlled, the resort could act as a testing ground for market‑oriented projects.

The article links to several follow‑up pieces on the broader context of North Korea’s domestic tourism push and the regime’s efforts to bolster the “new economic development” agenda. It cites an opinion piece from the Korea Economic Institute that argues the resort could become a “pilot” for future domestic resorts aimed at boosting morale among the middle‑class cadre. A secondary link points to an analysis of how North Korea’s leadership has historically used luxury projects—such as the “Mount Paektu” spa or the “Chongryong” cultural centre—to reinforce loyalty and control.

Reactions and Criticism

While the article predominantly presents the resort as a symbol of progress, it also hints at underlying tensions. A segment quotes an unnamed senior official who suggested that such projects divert resources from essential public services. Furthermore, a commentary by a former defector highlights the stark contrast between the leader’s lavish lifestyle and the daily hardships faced by ordinary North Koreans, who still struggle with food shortages and power cuts.

In the international arena, the resort has attracted attention from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which expressed concern that lavish spending could undermine aid distribution. However, the article notes that the regime has dismissed such criticisms, framing the resort as a “symbol of self‑reliance” that reflects the country’s commitment to “independence.”

Looking Ahead

The Channel News Asia feature closes by observing that the resort’s inauguration is likely the tip of an iceberg. With the regime’s recent emphasis on domestic projects—particularly in the Chagang and Pyongan provinces—other luxury developments are expected in the near future. The article calls for continued scrutiny of how North Korea balances its image of self‑sufficiency with the harsh realities of its sanctions‑imposed economy.

In summary, Kim Jong Un’s visit to the newly opened mountain resort—complete with hot‑tub pools, barbecue stalls, and a private beach—offers a rare, if carefully curated, glimpse into the North Korean elite’s lifestyle. While the regime frames the resort as evidence of its economic resurgence and diplomatic sophistication, the reality remains a complex mix of propaganda, strategic diplomacy, and domestic resource allocation. The feature encourages readers to look beyond the glossy photos and consider the broader implications of such luxury projects for a nation that remains deeply isolated from the global community.