North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was photographed smiling as he surveyed a women’s spa pool in new and unconventional images. Kim made an appearance at the grand opening of the Onpo Workers’ Recreation Centre in North Hamgyong Province. The resort, once dubbed the ‘North Korean Benidorm,’ has recently undergone renovation and was reopened to the public.
Despite the warm spa environment, Kim opted to keep his bulky winter coat on during the event but seemed genuinely pleased with the facilities. The hot spring spa underwent a complete makeover following criticism from Kim in 2018 regarding its poor management and outdated facilities.
During the opening ceremony, Kim praised the redesign, stating that each section was thoughtfully arranged to blend with the natural surroundings. He expressed pride in the transformation of the holiday camp into a high-quality relaxation spot for the people.
After a thorough inspection in 2018, where Kim had strongly rebuked the operations, he directed officials to prepare for the full opening of the resort, scheduled for the following month. The spa now welcomes members of North Korea’s elite class and tourists from China and Russia, offering week-long tours priced between $1,000 to $1,350, excluding airfare.
Despite the warm atmosphere of the spa, Kim maintained his winter coat while interacting with visitors and inspecting various facilities, emphasizing the importance of the newly revamped Onpo Workers’ Recreation Centre. The images from the visit were shared by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency.