Why Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Departed from Wonsan Kalma Airport

[Financial News] Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, left North Korea on the 13th after completing a 2-night, 3-day visit.
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 14th, Minister Lavrov departed through Wonsan Kalma Airfield, just as he arrived in North Korea on the 11th. Choe Son Hui, the Foreign Minister, and Aleksandr Matsegora, the Russian Ambassador to North Korea, saw off Minister Lavrov and his party.
Kalma Airfield was formerly used for military purposes, but was reopened as a civilian airport 'Kalma Airport' as part of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourism Zone development project, a key initiative of Chairman Kim Jong Un.
During his stay in Wonsan, Gangwon Province, Minister Lavrov held a 'yacht meeting' with Chairman Kim and a banquet in his honor was held at the Myongsasipri Hotel within the tourism zone. 
It is unusual for the Russian Foreign Minister to visit Wonsan instead of Pyongyang and for Kim Jong Un to meet foreign envoys on a yacht.
The prevailing analysis is that this is intended to attract Russian tourists by promoting the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Zone, which opened this month.
The conversation released by the Russian Foreign Ministry also seems to be in a similar context.
Kim Jong Un explained the reason for inviting Minister Lavrov to Wonsan, saying, "Since you have been very active in diplomatic activities recently, I thought it would be better to meet in Wonsan rather than Pyongyang," and "You can relax here (in Wonsan)."
In response, Minister Lavrov promised at the meeting held in Wonsan on the 12th to create conditions, including flights, to increase the influx of tourists to the Wonsan resort.
He stated, "I am confident that more Russian tourists will visit here," and "Russia will contribute in every possible way, including operating flights."
Meanwhile, Russia's state-run TASS news agency reported that Minister Lavrov, after completing his visit to North Korea, arrived in China on this day to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Tianjin from the 14th to the 15th.
whywani@fnnews.com Hong Chae-wan Reporter