North Korea’s Wonsan-Kalma beach resort project missed its mid-April completion deadline and remains unopened, but satellite imagery taken in recent days shows temporary worker structures being removed in what may be a sign work is beginning to wind down.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un ordered construction finished by April 15 in his second delay, but the day came and went without mention in state media, and reports continue to suggest work is ongoing.

The latest removal of temporary structures comes as some buildings inside the giant beach resort area remain unfinished, however, suggesting it is still not ready for imminent opening.

Over 100 small tent-like structures likely used for conscripted soldier-builder housing or meeting areas were removed between April 26 and May 3, according to available daily medium-resolution satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs.

NK Pro analysis of the latest image taken on May 4 shows that more within the same areas were also removed since the previous day.

Another section in the temporary structure complex, comprising narrow buildings and wide open areas but whose purpose was unclear, was previously removed in the last week of January, though no further large areas appear to have been removed until this past week. 

Large swathes of area within the temporary structure complex located at both the southern and western edge of the Wonsan-Kalma airport, however, still have yet to be cleared.

Some buildings inside the resort area, such as what appears to be some sort of marine entertainment arena, also appeared in an unfinished state in the May 4 image. 

Other signs in state media that the major project is still not ready to open include recent reports on both continuing landscaping work and plans to furnish the resort with electric trams.

One report in the party daily Rodong Sinmun on April 27 said the “Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Complex, tasked by the Ministry of Railways Political Department with manufacturing trams to be sent to the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area” is “achieving innovative successes in tram production every minute of every day.”

Another from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on the same day said the Horticultural Technology Bureau had cultivated various colors of roses that “were sent to the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area under construction.”

With Kim Jong Un back in the public eye on Saturday after a 21-day disappearance that saw global interest in the DPRK leader’s health and whereabouts spike, the likelihood of an opening ceremony — albeit late — for the giant beach resort project in the coming weeks or months may increase.

The North Korean leader, meanwhile, has likely been spending time in the Wonsan area recently with plenty of opportunity to inspect the site.

He has not made an official appearance there in over a year, but did send thanks to “officials and working people for having rendered sincere assistance” to the project in a letter published on April 27.

Edited by Oliver Hotham