North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's government has been building the coastal city of Wonsan into a beachside resort town, according to a report from Reuters.

Wonsan occupies a special place in North Korean politics, acting as both a luxury getaway for elites and a testing ground for missile, artillery, and other military tests.

But Kim has an ambitious vision for the city — he hopes to redevelop it into a tourist destination that will generate billions of dollars, and hopes to do so by attracting foreign corporate investment.

Here are 12 photos that capture the surreal nature of the Wonsan project: