Kim Jong Un has recently wrapped up a tour of the east coast that represents the greatest length of time that the new leader has spent outside of the capital since inheriting power from his father. Below I offer satellite images of all the guidance destinations to give a sense of the areas he has visited. The satellite imagery matches the footage broadcast by the North Korean media.

On May 25th, KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un visited the Combined Foodstuff-processing Factory under KPA Unit 534 and the Supply Base of KPA Unit 639 on the east coast. These facilities are located next to each other in Muchon County, just north of Wonsan:

The food processing factory has been visited many times by Kim Jong Il, but this is Kim Jong Un’s first recorded visit.  It is also Kim Jong Un’s first visit to the supply base of KPA Unit 639, which has recently been under renovation.

On May 26, KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un visited the Masik Pass Ski Resort, under construction in Popdong County. I had interpreted this visit as taking place along the highway as Kim Jong Un returned to Pyongyang from Wonsan, however, as we soon learned, this was not the case. Kim remained on the east coast and visited KPA Navy Unit 291 on May 27th. Interestingly, this guidance trip was reported in Rodong Sinmun and KCTV, but was never reported in KCNA. It also probably took place on May 25th since it is located near the May 25 destinations.

This KPA naval unit is just 15km directly north of the Kim family compound in Wonsan, and which was most recently updated sometime between  October 2009 and May 2011. Hovercraft parking was expanded to accommodate 16 more vehicles under covered awnings:

On May 27th, KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un visited the August 25 Fishery Station under KPA Unit 313. This facility is located approximately 50km directly south east from the Kim Family compound in Wonsan.

The fishery station is also located next to three islands that are presumed to cater to the DPRK’s leadership: Sa-do, Tongdok-do and Chon-do.  It is unclear if Kim Jong Un stopped at these islands:

Interestingly, it was at this guidance trip that a partial image of Kim Jong Un’s personal yacht was broadcast on North Korean television.

In retrospect it is clear from the images released on KCTV that Kim Jong Un made all of the above guidance trips in the week May 25 – 30 (except to the Masik Ski Resort) on this boat, traveling from his family compound in Wonsan, or possibly the guest house on Tongdok-som in Thongchang County.

Another interesting note on this boat: it is not one of the yachts that Kim Jong Il is known to have used. These two known yachts remain docked at Wonsan harbor. It is likely that this particular boat being used by Kim Jong Un is kept in the boat house at the Kim family compound in Wonsan.

On May 30, following the visit to the August 25 Fishery Station, Kim Jong Un returned to well-known destinations near his family compound  in Wonsan, the Songdowon International Children’s Camp and the open air theater:

Following these visits, on May 31 Kim Jong Un headed to Hamhung where he visited the new Songchongang Net Weaving Factory and Plastic Tube Factory at the 1521 Enterprise under KPA Unit 600:

After visiting the KPA factory compound, Kim Jong Un  traveled a short distance to the Majon Bathing Resort. Interestingly he did not visit the southern end of the beach which is reserved for North Korean elites. He visited the northern portion of the beach which is the holiday area for “normal” North Koreans:

On June 2, Kim Jong Un made a surprise visit to the DMZ. He inspected KPA posts defending Mt. Osong and KPA Unit 507. Below is a Google Earth image of the dormitory for Third Company of the First Battalion under KPA Unit 565 and the KPA Unit 785 Watch Post on Mt. Osong.

Following the visit to Mt. Osong, Kim Jong Un dropped in on KPA Unit 507 and the Pig Farm under KPA Unit 549:

On June 3 Kim Jong Un wrapped up his east-coast tour at the Kosan Fruit Farm:

On June 5, North Korean media reported that Kim Jong Un had made an appearance at the Posong Mushroom Farm in Pyongyang. His travels along the east coast lasted from approximately May 25th to June 3. The trip stretched as far north as Hamhung and as south as the DMZ. It will be interesting to see if Kim Jong Un follows up this trip with lengthy visits to other remote regions of the country.

Picture: Rodong Sinmun

Kim Jong Un has recently wrapped up a tour of the east coast that represents the greatest length of time that the new leader has spent outside of the capital since inheriting power from his father. Below I offer satellite images of all the guidance destinations to give a sense of the areas he has