North Korea appeared to begin demolishing a multi-million-dollar South Korean-owned golf resort near Mount Kumgang over the weekend, exclusive NK News analysis of satellite imagery shows, apparently without permission from the company Ananti that built the facilities.

The new demolition work comes as North Korea continues to tear down a floating hotel nearby owned by the South Korean company Hyundai Asan, a move that has drawn criticism from the Seoul government. 

Ten large lodging buildings appeared to have been partially demolished between April 9 and 10, according to Planet Labs satellite imagery, suggesting North Korea used explosives. The main clubhouse building at the entrance to the resort appeared to remain intact as of the latest image taken on Sunday. 

Demolition of the Ananti golf resort appeared to begin between April 9 and 10 | Images: Planet Labs PBH, edited by NK News

A closer view of the above | Images: Planet Labs PBH, edited by NK News

The Ananti Golf and Spa Resort opened to South Korean tourists in 2008 with luxurious facilities and a 19-hole golf course in the city of Kosong, near Mount Kumgang, at a cost of around $75 million. It was only open for less than one year, however, before Seoul suspended all tourism to North Korea after a DPRK soldier shot and killed a South Korean national at Mount Kumgang.

Read more: A $75 million luxury North Korean golf course shut down six weeks after opening

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said during a visit to Kumgang in Oct. 2019 that the South Korean assets in the area were “shabby” and lacked “national character,” and that North Korea would “remove all the unpleasant-looking facilities of the south [Korean] side” upon reaching an agreement with relevant ROK parties.

South Korea’s unification ministry and other parties attempted to negotiate with North Korea following Kim’s announcement, but Pyongyang has refused to discuss the matter in person.  

Top DPRK official Kim Tok Hun later visited the Mount Kumgang area in Dec. 2020 to reiterate Kim Jong Un’s plans to build “a world-class hotel, golf course, skiing ground, etc.” in place of destroyed South Korean facilities.

Ananti chairman Lee Joong-myung expressed hopes as recently as last summer that his resort could still host the 2025 World Amateur Golf Championship, but this does not seem likely to happen after Pyongyang’s decision to go ahead with its demolition.

A North Korean demolition team began tearing down the floating Haegumgang Hotel in early March this year, days before the South Korean presidential election — indicating Pyongyang intended to send a message to Seoul regardless of which party won the election. 

As of April 10, remnants of the Haegumgang Hotel still appeared to be floating in the water, according to satellite imagery, but it is likely to be completely removed in the coming days or weeks.

Seoul demanded an explanation from DPRK authorities about the hotel demolition last week, but Pyongyang has reportedly yet to respond. 

Edited by Arius Derr