North Korean officials visit Benidorm to scout ideas for planned new costa-style beach resort

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves to people attending a military parade marking the 105th birth anniversary of country's founding father, Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

James Badcock
© Telegraph Media Group Limited

The North Korean government of Kim Jong-un is planning a Mediterranean ‘costa’-style beach resort, taking its inspiration from emblematic tourism hotspots in Spain, including Benidorm and Salou.

A delegation of 20 officials from the ultra-secretive state enjoyed a fact-finding road trip earlier this month from the French border through Barcelona and Valencia to Alicante, seeking inspiration as North Korea plans its own large beach resort in Wonsan, a port city on the country’s eastern coast.