bbc.com
North Korea's New Resort Opens to Russian Tourists Amidst Human Rights Concerns
North Korea's new Wonsan Kalma resort, opened this month, welcomed its first Russian tourists after a rushed construction process raising human rights concerns; its future success is uncertain despite Kim Jong Un's claims of world-class status.
- What are the immediate economic and geopolitical implications of North Korea opening a new resort for Russian tourists?
- A new beach resort in North Korea, touted as a "world-class tourist and cultural destination" by Kim Jong Un, opened this month and has already received its first group of Russian tourists. The resort's construction, shrouded in secrecy due to North Korea's isolation, involved what human rights experts allege were exploitative labor practices.
- How does the construction of the Wonsan Kalma resort reflect North Korea's human rights record and its relationship with Russia?
- The resort's design reportedly drew inspiration from Spain's Benidorm, with plans for 43 hotels, guest houses, and campgrounds. Satellite imagery shows significant construction between 2018 and 2024, with work seemingly pausing before resuming after a June 2024 meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin, who pledged to encourage Russian tourism.
- What are the long-term prospects for the Wonsan Kalma resort, considering potential challenges in attracting international tourists and concerns about labor practices?
- Despite the resort's opening, its success remains uncertain. While Russia is promoting tours, Chinese agencies aren't, and even Russian agencies express doubt about its appeal due to poor service and heavy surveillance. This raises questions about North Korea's ability to attract substantial tourism and achieve its economic goals.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article's framing emphasizes the negative aspects of the resort, particularly the human rights abuses. The headline itself, focusing on Russian tourists visiting a resort criticized by human rights advocates, sets a negative tone. The repeated mention of forced labor and the inclusion of detailed accounts from former North Korean workers contribute to a predominantly negative narrative. While factual, this framing may overshadow any potential positive aspects of the resort or its intended purpose.
Language Bias
The article uses strong, emotionally charged language, such as "brutal," "harsh," and "horrific," when describing the working conditions. While accurate to the accounts provided, this language contributes to a strongly negative tone. More neutral alternatives could be used in some instances, such as replacing "brutal" with "difficult" or "harsh" with "challenging." The consistent emphasis on negative aspects contributes to a biased portrayal, even if factually accurate.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative aspects of the resort's construction, including human rights abuses and forced labor. However, it omits any potential positive economic impacts the resort might have on the local population or North Korea's economy. The article also doesn't explore potential perspectives from North Korean citizens who may view the resort differently, or who might benefit from the employment opportunities, albeit under harsh conditions. While acknowledging space constraints, these omissions limit a complete understanding of the resort's impact.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between the resort's purported world-class status and the harsh realities of its construction. It doesn't fully explore the nuanced relationship between economic development and human rights in North Korea, presenting the two as mutually exclusive rather than potentially coexisting (albeit unequally).
Gender Bias
The article includes accounts from both male and female North Korean defectors, offering a range of perspectives. However, the descriptions of the physical and emotional toll on workers, including the mention of women's menstruation ceasing due to exhaustion, could unintentionally reinforce gender stereotypes by highlighting the vulnerability of women in these harsh conditions. More balanced representation could be achieved by emphasizing the shared suffering of workers regardless of gender.
Sustainable Development Goals
The construction of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist resort involved the use of forced labor, resulting in harsh working conditions, long hours, and insufficient pay for workers. This exploitation of labor, particularly within the context of a closed and repressive regime, directly hinders progress toward poverty reduction and decent work for those involved.