North Korea has opened a vast new beach resort, the Wonsan-Kalma eastern coastal tourist zone, to its citizens, state media reported on Wednesday, even as the country largely maintains its strict ban on foreign tourism.

North Koreans are swimming and playing at a new beach resort that the country is touting as a boost for tourism.

North Korea opened a massive beach resort on its east coast to the public, state-run media reported Wednesday, with Russian guests expected to start arriving next week.