Collage of a woman relaxing on a beach lounger in North Korea.
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NORTH Korea has welcomed its first tourists to its ghostly new Benidorm” beach resort.

But the initial batch of visitors have reported that they are followed everywhere and their phones are likely bugged.

Collage of a woman relaxing on a beach lounger in North Korea.
The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package toursCredit: East2West
Woman in sunglasses and a bathing suit walking on a beach.
A group of 13 inaugural guests went to the resortCredit: East2West
Woman making a sand angel on a beach in front of a resort.
Russian tourists watched 24/7 on a rare trip inside the repressive stateCredit: East2West

The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package tours.

It features a a giant artificial white sand beach – once a missile test site – on the Sea of Japan, and was opened by dictator Kim Jong Un himself.

But Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their own.

“You are accompanied everywhere… even on the beach someone walked with us,” according to blogger Daria Zubkova.

Yet this was as “sweet concern” for guests rather than more ominous snooping, she added.

“They are walking [with you].

“[If] you want, they chat with you, [if not] they just walk behind you.”

Daria added that the minders “argue that they worry about us getting lost or something else”.

But the veterinary therapist added: “What many people are afraid of….is some kind of wiretapping everywhere and so on.

“I believe everything was likely present, yet we weren’t concerned, as there was nothing we could say that might get us reprimanded.”

North Korea’s ‘Benidorm’ to FINALLY open next week as tyrant Kim Jong-Un cuts ribbon – and Brits have signed up to visit

The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reports, and has jet-skis.

Russian tourists holidaying there must make their own way to the eastern city of Vladivostok.

From there they are flown into North Korea – to the capital city of Pyongyang.

However, after arriving in the country, the initial group of 13 guests found their planned brief flight from Pyongyang to Wonsan abruptly canceled—resulting in a train journey being organized instead.

“An entire train for just 13 people is simply unthinkable,” said Daria.

“It was new, very comfortable, with air conditioning.”

Children playing with inflatable rings and beach balls on a beach in front of hotels.
The resort has opened for its first guestsCredit: East2West
Kim Jong-un on a beach with his entourage.
North Korean tyrant Kim Jong Un opens Wonsan-Kalma pet project beach resortCredit: East2West
Woman in a yellow bikini relaxing on a beach lounger under striped beach umbrellas.
Russian tourist Daria Zubkova shows an empty beach in Wonsan-Kalma resortCredit: East2West
Aerial view of Wonsan-Kalma pet project beach resort in North Korea.
The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reportsCredit: East2West

She added: “I saw villages [from the windows of the train]….people are working in the fields, not very rich people.”

Another tourist, Lyudmila, shared: “I found the train ride intriguing, as it was my first opportunity to see the mountains depicted in their paintings in real life.”

“It is also very interesting to see the country from the train.”

But once they got to Wonsan, their hotel was full with visiting officials and journalists accompanying Putin’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

The tourists were then moved to inferior accommodation.

Tourists were also told that sending emails cost £1.65 each.

The tour company made clear that the secret police would have the opportunity to monitor their messages.

“Please note that the email will be sent from the hotel’s email box, not yours.

“Therefore, to make it easier to find a reply addressed to you, we recommend that you include your room number in the subject line.”

Tourists were also told in advance: “We recommend taking tea, coffee, sugar with you!!! Fruits are not served.”

But Daria added: “There were a lot of types of meat, duck, rabbit, different types of fish. They really tried to please us.”

The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360 – once they have made their way to Vladivostok.

All but £325 of this has to be paid in cash.

“We like everything,” said tourist Pavla Gambal. “The sea is warm, the beach is clean, they keep order.

“The territory is well-kept. The food is very tasty, you can eat it.”

It comes at a time when when North Korea has sent soldiers to die for “ally” Vladimir Putin, along with ship loads of military equipment and ammunition.

Woman speaking in front of a body of water.
Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their ownCredit: East2West
Empty beach at the Wonsan-Kalma resort in North Korea with jet skis.
The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360Credit: East2West
Russian tourists on a plane in North Korea; filming is prohibited.
A small group of Russian tourists was taken to the resortCredit: East2West
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