Kim Jong Un’s “floating amusement park” showed up at his east coast beach mansion last week for an apparent event, NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery reveals, a rare appearance for the boat just ahead of a major holiday in Pyongyang this week. 

The 260-foot (80-meter) vessel, which features a multi-floor indoor lounge, dual twisting waterslides and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, appeared at the North Korean leader’s Wonsan beach between Feb. 8 and 9. It returned to its usual parking spot nearby in the city’s central bay by Feb. 11, Planet Labs imagery shows.

Kim was out of the public eye during that period, between his reported attendance at a concert on Feb. 1 and a speech at a construction site on Feb. 12, both in Pyongyang, meaning he may have been at his Wonsan mansion to float his boat on Feb. 9.

The luxury craft’s latest activities come as state media continues to warn ordinary North Koreans about “mounting economic hardships” with no end in sight.

LEGACY GIFT

Kim, his family or trusted associates have used the large “amusement park” boat more frequently since it received upgrades in summer 2020. Last week’s appearance was its third confirmed visit at his Wonsan mansion in the last year. 

Kim has at least three other custom luxury vessels in Wonsan, including one measuring 165 feet (50 meters) with a blue awning covering its deck that has been at Kim’s private Wonsan beach since early December.

After NK Pro reported on its activities through late January, which also coincided with Kim’s time away from public appearances, the boat was moved to different areas at the beach and small boats or yachts parked or moved around it during the first half of February, according to the latest Planet Labs imagery.

Another small boat also anchored in open waters around 1,650 feet (500 meters) outside the beach’s secure perimeter on most days this month, possibly acting as extra security guarding Kim Jong Un or his family. 

All boats disappeared from Kim’s private Wonsan beach between Feb. 11 and 12, just as the DPRK leader was reported to have shown up in Pyongyang to open construction of another large housing project.

He is expected to make an appearance at one or more events to celebrate Wednesday’s holiday marking his late father and former leader Kim Jong Il’s 80th birthday. North Korea celebrated his 70th and 75th birthdays with small-scale military parades, but it is unclear if a similar event is in being planned this year.

Meanwhile, luxury boats weren’t the only things found at Kim Jong Un’s private beaches in recent weeks: Two missile tests were conducted from another of the DPRK leader’s coastal palaces and an upscale hotel next door in late January. 

Edited by Arius Derr