Kim Jong Un Inaugurates Samjiyon Luxury Resort with Kim Ju-ae Amid Tourism Push

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un officially inaugurated a newly constructed luxury mountain resort complex in Samjiyon, near Mount Paektu, on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The event featured the presence of his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, signaling the nation's focus on projecting economic progress despite ongoing international sanctions.

The Samjiyon resort development encompasses five new hotels: Ikkal, Milyeong, Sobaeksu, Cheongbong, and Botnamu. During an inspection of the facilities, which included testing mattresses and examining bathing areas, Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction, stating that all elements achieved a "high level" in terms of practicality, diversity, and artistic features. State media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported that Kim affirmed an "unshakable will" to transform Samjiyon City into an innovative and highly civilized city that embodies the country's tourism culture, while also stressing the need to enhance service staff qualifications for sustainable tourism development.

This project is part of a broader initiative to establish Samjiyon as a world-class mountain tourism center, a vision that has been pursued since Kim's initial visit to the area in July 2014. The inauguration ceremonies for the hotels took place over two days, with Kim Jong Un attending the opening of the Ikkal and Milyeong hotels on December 20 and the Sobaeksu, Chongbong, and Botnamu hotels on December 21. The development aligns with other tourism infrastructure efforts, such as the opening of the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist zone in July 2025.

The public appearance of Kim Ju-ae, estimated to be around 12 or 13 years old, garnered significant attention, with state media releasing substantially more photographs of the father-daughter pair than of Ri Sol-ju. Her increased visibility at civilian and economic events, following her attendance at an industrial complex inauguration on December 15, 2025, has renewed speculation regarding her potential role as a successor to the regime. Analysts note that promoting Samjiyon, which is propagandistically framed as the birthplace of Kim Jong Il, reinforces the Kim family's narrative of legitimacy, although external historians dispute this claim.

Economically, the development of this luxury resort is significant as North Korea seeks to cultivate the tourism sector to generate foreign currency amid existing sanctions. Experts suggest the facilities are likely targeted at attracting foreign visitors, particularly from China, following the limited reopening of international tourism in early 2025. This focus on high-end amenities contrasts with the reported economic reality for the general populace, raising questions about the direct benefit to ordinary citizens from such upscale developments.

The development also includes facilities such as a press center, suggesting a potential capacity to host large-scale international conferences. The broader tourism expansion plans are anticipated to be finalized at the upcoming Party Congress scheduled for early 2026.