One of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s luxurious leisure boats made a rare appearance at his Wonsan mansion complex in recent weeks, NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery reveals, indicating Kim may again be spending time on the east coast during breaks from public view. 

NK Pro analysis also shows for the first time that mansions at the Wonsan compound underwent upgrades in 2021, displaying Kim’s focus on continuing to live in luxury even as the country suffered from chronic shortages. Kim appeared to build new mansions and demolish others around the country last year, and repaired or upgraded at least one of his four large leisure boats on the east coast, according to satellite imagery.

The Wonsan retreat has appeared to be the busiest of his private compounds in recent years. Kim reportedly grew up there and invited U.S. basketball star Dennis Rodman for wild parties and jet ski racing in 2013, and in the past, North Korean state media has confirmed that Kim was in Wonsan during periods when imagery showed activity at the mansion compound.

LATEST ACTIVITY IN WONSAN

Kim’s 165-foot (50-meter) leisure craft first appeared docked at his private, secured beach in early December, and came out from storage again earlier this week following his most recent public appearance at a Politburo meeting in Pyongyang, according to Planet Labs satellite imagery. The boat features a blue roof covering its entire deck, with a pool and other amenities likely underneath.

This particular craft spent most of last year anchored at nearby Tae Island and appeared to be used occasionally. The fact that it has moved around Kim’s private beach since December, rather than remain at the island or in storage like usual, suggests he or close family members have been using it. By contrast, witnesses have reported that outside guests have been given access to such large leisure craft when used in the waters around Wonsan. 

In addition to the craft moving around from the east to west side of the enclosed beach cove in recent weeks, smaller boats also cruised just outside the cove on the mornings of Jan. 6, 18 and 26.

State media has not reported about the DPRK leader’s activities on those days. He was reportedly in Pyongyang on Jan. 19 for a Politburo meeting, in the northwestern Jagang province to watch a missile test on Jan. 11 and in Pyongyang for six days of party plenum-related activities from Dec. 27 to Jan. 1.

Notably, after initially being brought out to the mansion on Dec. 5, the 165-foot craft appeared to be placed in storage during each of these three public appearances, as well as when Kim led a memorial for his father on Dec. 17.

A larger, nearly 200-foot (60-meter) craft that has often been parked at the Wonsan private beach in recent years appeared to be placed in storage at the complex’s marina on Dec. 3, just before Kim led a military meeting from Dec. 4 to 5 in Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, a third luxury craft measuring 180 feet (55 meters) appeared to undergo repairs or upgrades at Kim’s private storage facilities in central Wonsan between Dec. 5 and 11. 

MANSION UPGRADES

Kim Jong Un appears to have approved a major construction or upgrade project at his Wonsan mansion complex in early 2021, according to high-resolution satellite imagery. 

Planet Labs imagery shows that a temporary construction worker camp was built next to the nearby Songdowon International Children’s Camp between Feb. 4 and 5, 2021, and that blue tents appeared around buildings in the mansion complex at the same time. 

The tents and camp disappeared in the first half of April, suggesting major interior work over the course of around two months. However, the workers built no new buildings.

While the work was going on, state media reported that Kim complained about economic problems and abuse of power among officials at a multi-day party plenum. He declared a food crisis a few months later.

That didn’t stop Kim from apparently ordering the construction of a new tower building at his mansion on Lake Yonphung in the country’s northwest region starting in May, as well as smaller mansions starting in September at an elite compound in central Pyongyang near the Workers’ Party headquarters. The latter homes may have been for Kim Jong Un’s close family members or associates, judging from their size.

In a more mysterious move, five villas were also demolished at Kim’s mansion compound near the city of Sariwon, south of Pyongyang, between Oct. 27 and Nov. 5, 2021, according to Planet Labs imagery. Twitter user @NobodyGerman appeared to be the first to spot the demolition.

The mansion construction and boat repairs demonstrate that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is still focused on maintaining a luxurious lifestyle for himself, his family and possibly his supporters in the upper echelons of power despite the country experiencing widespread shortages and economic problems.

Edited by Bryan Betts