Kim Jong-un opening 'North Korean Benidorm' at former missile site

Kim Jong-un's flashy resort dubbed the "North Korean Benidorm" is on the brink of opening - but some rooms may never be filled.

The vast venture was put together with hopes of attracting affluent holidaymakers. The project drew parallels to Benidorm after Kim dispatched a squad to research Spain's Costa Blanca back in 2017. Construction kicked off in 2018 but came to a standstill during the pandemic after squatters settled in. With a renewed effort, the facility, which is located in a former missile site in Wonsan, is anticipating a grand launch in May.

But not everyone is convinced that it will meet the opening date, reports the Mirror US. Jacob Bogle, a North Korea expert, said: "Given that between 150,000 and 200,000 foreign tourists visited the country annually before Covid, Wonsan would heavily depend on domestic tourism to reach capacity. While North Korea has a moderate domestic tourism industry, Wonsan was marketed as a destination to attract foreign tourists."

READ MORE: Top Tech: Best TV deal this week as Sky Glass gives free updates and £80 discount

It is believed Russian and Chinese tourists will make up the bulk of international visitors. And it appears ­unlikely that Brits or Americans will ever be welcomed there. Martyn Williams, of the Stimson Center in Washington DC, said: "North Korea is still yet to reopen to western tourists." Reports also claim there are still ­issues with parking and sewage. One government official said: "The development has entered its final stage, but many things remain lacking – and there is much to resolve."

Recently, it emerged North Korea had reportedly executed up to 30 officials for failing to prevent more than a thousand deaths in recent flooding. Many people were killed, injured and left homeless after heavy rain and landslides struck the Chagang Province and authorities said that they would come down hard on those it is claimed could have done more to stop the deaths.

According to Chosun TV, a North Korean officials said that "those who caused unacceptable casualties will be strictly punished." They added: "It has been determined that 20 to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month.

"Circumstances involving the dismissed Chagang Province Party Secretary Kang Bong-hoon have been probed and are being confirmed." Kang Bong-hoon is also a former deputy director of the Munitions Industry Department and accompanied Kim Jong-un while providing on-site guidance.