The Sindok Aquarium, located within the Songdowon International Children’s Camp in Wŏnsan, is a pioneering project that brought the underwater world closer than ever before to the people of North Korea and visiting student delegations from countries including Russia, Pakistan, Tanzania, and China.

Completed in 2012 and spanning 3,500 square meters, the facility may be modest by international standards but showcases a wide variety of marine life, including turtles and sharks, offering many visitors their first immersive encounter with aquatic species.

As the first public aquarium in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Sindok Aquarium represented an exciting milestone for both the global aquarium community and local citizens. Despite challenges posed by trade restrictions and diplomatic isolation, the project was successfully delivered through close cooperation with the local government.

Its completion not only marked a cultural and educational breakthrough but also paved the way for future developments, including the establishment of the National Aquarium in Pyongyang, further expanding public access to marine education and conservation awareness in the region.