(TAN): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has opened a new ski report and mountain spa in the country’s South Pyongan Province, in a bid to promote “high civilisation under socialism” through tourism, reports said.
He cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony held at Yangdok Hot Spring Cultural Recreation Center.
Kim reportedly applauded his soldiers for building a “miracle and prefect edifice” to help propel the ruling party’s efforts to guide people to modern civilisation.
North Korea’s state television broadcasted aerial footage of the resort, its ski slopes, hot spring spas, horse-riding park and red-roofed hotels, as per reports.
Citizens and children waved the country’s flag while thousands of soldiers gathered to welcome Kim, who later toured the ski slopes and equestrian park of the Yangdok Center, reports said.
“(Kim) hardly repressed his happiness, saying that it has become possible to provide people with new culture, and one more plan of the Party to make our people enjoy high civilisation under socialism as early as possible has come true,” Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency was quoted by reports.
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One of Kim’s chief development projects has reportedly been the Yangdok resort, whose construction began last year. Another mountain resort was recently built in the northern town of Samjiyon, and a summer resort in the coastal town of Wonsan is currently under construction.
North Korea recently announced plans to diversify into medical tourism next year, offering foreign visitors treatments including cataract surgeries, therapy for tumours and dental implants, reports said. The health clinics will reportedly be operated near hot springs, who mineral-rich water can be used for treating skin-related issues, arthritis and neuralgia.
