As North Korea grapples with a “food crisis” and prolonged pandemic lockdown, signs suggest that the country’s leader Kim Jong Un or his family and friends are enjoying his newly remodeled “floating amusement park” on the east coast.

The boat — boasting twin twisting waterslides, an Olympic-sized pool and a multistory lounge — was confirmed docked on Monday at the private beach of Kim’s Wonsan mansion for the first time since 2019, according to Planet Labs imagery.

In addition, there has been fresh activity in the past week at Kim Jong Un’s newest secluded mansion just up the coast, also for the first time since 2019 — the year it was built. 

The activity in and around Wonsan in the last week occurred on days Kim did not make public appearances, and suggests he is relaxing or even working on his health on the east coast this week.

SLIDE INTO SUMMER

July is shaping up to be a particularly busy time for Kim Jong Un’s luxurious east coast outposts. Just before noon on July 12, Kim’s 80-meter-long (260 foot) waterslide boat was seen docked at his main Wonsan mansion complex. 

It is possible the DPRK leader himself was present for the activities, a day after he was reportedly in Pyongyang meeting with his favorite band. However, it could also have been his children, close family members or trusted associates using the boat and mansion, as it has hosted guests in the past.

Last week as well, at his Hodo Peninsula palace located 17 km (10 miles) up the coast from the main Wonsan compound, a small 20 to 30-meter-long (65-100 foot) boat was parked at the private beach there on July 6 and 7 and another boat cruised back and forth near the beach on the morning of July 6. 

The waterslide boat was seen in satellite imagery visiting Kim’s Wonsan mansion during summer in 2018 and 2019, and Kim’s other private yachts and pool boats visited the Hodo beach in 2017 and 2018 and the new mansion in the same spot in 2019. These appearances often coincided with state media reports confirming Kim Jong Un’s presence in Wonsan.

Kim’s boats were busy again in 2020 during long periods where Kim avoided public appearances, as it appeared the DPRK leader was staying at his main Wonsan mansion complex, but neither the waterslide boat nor his new Hodo mansion appeared to be used last year. 

Instead, the waterslide boat was taken in for major repairs and a remodeling job, expanding the multi-story lounge. The pleasure craft also appeared on May 24 this year being towed from its private parking spot in the Wonsan bay toward Kim’s main Wonsan mansion, but there was insufficient imagery to determine its final destination.

Below is a list of recent developments or activity at Kim Jong Un’s mansion compounds across the country:

• June 24, 2021 — Kim’s multi-million dollar Princess-brand yacht is tied to a leisure boat off Tae Island near Wonsan.
• June 6 and June 13, 2021 — Fleets of jet skis move between Kim’s Wonsan mansion and Tae Island.
• May 24, 2021 — Kim’s waterslide boat is towed toward his Wonsan mansion.
• May 10, 2021 — Kim’s 60-meter-long (196 ft.) leisure boat comes out to dock at his Wonsan mansion, staying there until sometime between July 1 and July 6.
• Mid-May 2021 — Demolition of Kim’s private airport at his Myohyangsan mansion in the center of the country is completed after starting in late April.
• March-April 2021 — Roads are repaved and other construction is carried out at Kim’s “Seoho” or “No. 72” palace compound on the east coast near Hamhung City. 
• Oct. 17-18, 2020 — A large inflatable waterslide is installed at Kim’s private beach in Wonsan, just days after he shed tears about economic difficulties in a speech carried nationally by state media.
• Feb. 29, April 2, May 1, 6, 24 and 27, June 16, 2020 — Garden tents are installed at the Wonsan palace private beach, and what may have been small boats or other objects appear tied to a large pool boat docked there.

Meanwhile, the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) is scheduled to hold a large-scale congress in Pyongyang in the coming days. Kim Jong Un is expected to submit a letter of instructions to the event, but past precedent suggests he will not attend in person. 

Edited by Arius Derr