Kim Jong Un's Leisurely Tour of North Korea's Renovated Hot Springs Resort
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared relaxed and smiling as he toured the newly renovated Onpo Workers' Recreation Centre, now the country's largest hot springs resort, in a rare display of his leisurely side. State media footage showed the Supreme Leader wrapped in a heavy coat, walking through spa facilities and greeting bathers enjoying the pools in their swimsuits. At one point, Kim sat on the edge of a hot tub and dipped his hand into the water, though he did not join the bath himself.
A Turnaround from Previous Criticism
This visit marks a significant turnaround from Kim's previous inspection of the site in 2018, when he criticized the centre as "uncultured and unsanitary." He ordered a full renovation at the time, a project that took several years to complete. The updated complex now features:
- Multiple spa rooms with upgraded facilities
- Polished interiors showcasing modern leisure standards
- Designation as a natural monument
Part of a Broader Luxury Resort Campaign
The Onpo visit follows another high-profile tour last month, when Kim and his daughter opened a lavish new mountain resort in Samjiyon, a city near Mount Paektu with deep symbolic value in North Korean propaganda. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the Samjiyon resort includes:
- Hotels with cosy leisure spaces
- Barbecue restaurants
- Indoor and outdoor hot tubs
Kim toured hotel bedrooms, leisure areas, and catering facilities, even testing the firmness of beds. KCNA quoted Kim praising the resort as "clear proof of the ever-growing ideal of our people and our state's potential for development." He described Samjiyon as an "innovative and highly civilized city representing the tourism culture of the country."
Analysts Question Accessibility for Ordinary Citizens
Images released by state media showed Kim accompanied by his daughter, believed by analysts to be Ju-ae and seen as his likely successor. State media framed the new developments as evidence that North Koreans are the "most dignified" people who have "nothing to envy in the world." However, analysts note that these luxury facilities are unlikely to be accessible to most citizens, who are estimated to earn as little as $3 a month in state-run factories.
Targeting Foreign Tourism and Elite Rewards
Experts say the resorts are primarily aimed at foreign visitors. Peter Ward, a research fellow at the Sejong Institute in Seoul, told AFP, "The main target demographic is foreigners." He added that visits could also be used as rewards for high-performing worker groups. Lim Eul-Chul of Kyungnam University noted that the five new hotels could support "large-scale group tourism" through border regions with China. North Korea has already allowed Russian tourists to return, while Western tour operators briefly resumed trips earlier this year.
Context of Economic Planning and Party Congress
The resort tours come as Kim continues inspections of new factories ahead of a ruling Workers' Party congress expected in early 2026, where the country's next five-year economic plan will be set. This suggests a strategic push to boost tourism revenue and project an image of modernization, even as domestic economic challenges persist.
