One of Kim Jong Un’s custom megayachts appeared for the first time at a secluded beach near his newest east coast mansion compound last week, NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery reveals, indicating the North Korean leader may be vacationing during his latest extended break from public view.

As of Wednesday, Kim had not made a new appearance in state media in 12 days, his second-longest break of the year following 19 days out of the spotlight last month. His absence comes as flooding has hit many parts of North Korea, appearing to damage crops and an important construction project.

Planet Labs imagery shows Kim’s 180-foot (55-meter) megayacht parked at a beach on the Hodo Peninsula north of Wonsan between Aug. 3 and 5, with a smaller 60-foot (18-meter) boat parked alongside it and down the beach in separate shots. The megayacht features a distinct red-colored roof covering its entire length, setting it apart from his slightly smaller blue-roofed and slightly larger white-roofed crafts of similar build.

It is the first time the 180-foot megayacht has been captured in satellite imagery at this beach, which is only accessible by sea or small roads far away from population centers. 

The last time near-daily Planet Labs imagery captured any boat parked in the same spot was in Aug. 2017, when Kim’s 165-foot (50-meter) megayacht appeared there.

The 180-foot red-roofed megayacht seen at the secluded beach this month last appeared at one of Kim’s mansions in April 2020, when imagery captured it at the leader’s Wonsan compound while it still featured a smaller green-colored roof. It also appeared at Kim’s Hodo Peninsula mansion compound around the time the residence was fully constructed in July 2019.

The megayacht’s past appearances at Kim’s homes make it highly likely he was present for its latest stint at the secluded Hodo Peninsula beach.

It’s unclear why Kim would use his megayacht at this particular beach instead of the sandy coastline directly in front of his new mansions nearby. It may mean he authorized others to use the boat but not at his home, or simply that he or his family preferred the conditions on the other beach at the time.

The red-roofed megayacht has been busy in recent months. During Kim’s last public break in July, it appeared anchored at Sin Island off the Wonsan coast for the first time, after having been at nearby Tae Island in April and receiving repairs or upgrades in May at Kim’s private marina in central Wonsan. 

Buildings also appeared to be demolished at the marina in late May and early June ahead of potential upgrades to the facilities. 

Kim’s 165-foot (50-meter), blue-roofed megayacht still appeared anchored off Tae Island as of Aug. 5, where it has been since April, sometimes idle and other times surrounded by smaller boats.

His largest megayacht, a 260-foot (80-meter) craft featuring an Olympic-sized pool and multi-story lounge, still appeared the same day anchored in an unusual spot near the Kalma Peninsula inside the Wonsan bay, where it first appeared in mid-July.

The North Korean leader’s 195-foot (60-meter) craft appeared to be taken out from storage and placed in front of his main Wonsan compound beach between Aug. 5 and 10.

Edited by Arius Derr