Anastasiya Samsonova was one of the first foreign tourists to visit Wonsan Kalma, also known as the "super resort," North Korea's new coastal vacation destination, which opened at the end of June.

"Our group didn't find anything unusual or dangerous there. Honestly, everyone really enjoyed it," said Samsonova, a 33-year-old human resources professional.

Samsonova on the beach at the resort. Photo: Samsonova

Samsonova on the beach at the resort. Photo: Samsonova

Samsonova's group consisted of 15 Russian tourists. Photos from her vacation show a white sand beach and several high-rise hotels. The resort appeared quiet, with rows of empty sunbeds. A luxurious banquet hall stood vacant, as Wonsan Kalma currently doesn't welcome international tourists, except for Russians.

"The hotel was brand new. Everything was beautifully done, with modern furnishings and developed infrastructure," Anastasiya added, unconcerned by the resort's lack of crowds.

When asked why she didn't choose a different vacation spot, like Turkey or Thailand, Anastasiya explained her interest in experiencing North Korean life. "There are so many stereotypes about what you can and can't do in North Korea, how you should behave. But in reality, we felt completely free," she said.

Anastasiya is among a growing number of Russians choosing to visit their neighboring country as the two allies continue to strengthen ties. Last year, the North Korean military provided military support in Russia's Kursk region, and now economic cooperation is flourishing. North Korean products, including apples and beer, have begun appearing in supermarkets in Russia's Far East region.

Last month, Moscow launched direct passenger flights to Pyongyang for the first time in decades. A representative from the Moscow office of the Vostok Intur travel agency believes North Korea will become a popular tourist destination in the future. The company currently organizes tours to North Korea twice a week and is actively seeking clients.

Activities during Anastasiya's trip. Photo: Anastasiya Samsonova

Activities during Anastasiya's trip. Photo: Anastasiya Samsonova

"North Korea is a wonderful country, unlike anywhere else in the world," enthused Vostok Intur director, Irina Kobeleva. "It's a country where you won't see any advertisements on the streets. And it's very clean - even the roads are spotless."

Kobeleva has an abundance of brochures and guidebooks showcasing North Korea's beauty, with images of attractive destinations, golf courses, and ski resorts. She asserted the growing popularity of the company's tours, boasting 400 bookings per month.

"Our tourists are mainly older people who want to return to the Soviet era because they feel that North Korea is very similar to what once existed in the Soviet Union. But besides that, young people are also very curious and want to visit this country," she added.

Pavel, a young blogger, has traveled extensively, and North Korea will be his 89th country. "This country has opened its doors to us, so I'm seizing the opportunity," he said.

Tam Anh (via Sky)