North Korea opens mountain spa, ski resort in tourism push

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un attending the ceremony for the completion of the Yangdok County Hot Spring Cultural Recreation Center in South Pyongan Province, North Korea. - AFP

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un opened a new mountain spa and ski resort that's intended for people to enjoy "high civilization under socialism” in another example of the country using tourism exemptions in sanctions to build revenue for its broken economy.

Kim cut the ribbon during the ceremonial opening of the Yangdok Hot Spring Cultural Recreation Center and praised his soldiers for creating a "miracle and prefect edifice” that serves the ruling party’s efforts to guide people to modern civilization, a state media report said.