North Korea has demolished multiple buildings at a location south of Pyongyang known as Kim Jong Un’s winter palace complex, NK Pro analysis shows, a move one expert said could be part of a transfer of the residence to the military. 

NK Pro analysis of Planet Labs satellite imagery shows that the Ryokpo Palace complex appears to be undergoing major demolition work, with its main residential buildings and auxiliary structures likely torn down between April 21 and 25. The demolition was first identified by the anonymous analyst @NobodyGerman on social media.

The palace is a relatively small private resort with several ponds or lakes featuring elevated walkways that the Kim family has controlled for several decades, according to satellite imagery expert Jacob Bogle.

But Bogle told NK Pro that Kim Jong Un has ignored the winter palace during his reign, preferring to stay at other residences like his sprawling Ryongsong compound in Pyongyang and a private villa in Wonsan.

He stressed that while it’s too early to know whether Ryokpo is being permanently destroyed or simply undergoing modernization, the demolition may indicate that the entire area has been turned over to the military since the palace has become redundant.

The complex is largely surrounded by land controlled by Korea People Army Farm No. 1116, which Bogle described as “a fairly important military-controlled farm” known for vegetable production.

He explained that “the demolition of a ‘lesser’ site makes sense,” as the North Korean leader maintains a large property portfolio that is likely a significant drain on resources, particularly in light of recent economic difficulties.

Bogle told NK Pro that most structures at the compound have been removed, including decorative walkways surrounding the northern lake and the foundation of the main residence.

Leisure facilities or a dining hall north of the main building were also demolished, according to Bogle’s analysis of low-resolution satellite imagery.

A small pond to the north of the leisure facilities/dining hall appears to have been drained, while the northern lake pavilion has been destroyed, low-resolution satellite imagery shows.

While most of the Ryokpo compound buildings appear to have been demolished in late April, satellite imagery indicates that some work on the adjacent auxiliary structures began between April 14 and 19.

NK Pro found that workers likely first removed the blue roofs of the presumed livestock facility northwest of the compound, followed by some greenhouses west of the palace.

Additionally, Bogle pointed out changes to the palace’s guard command barracks and the palace support complex, suggesting further demolition activity.

Despite Kim Jong Un’s neglect of the Ryokpo Palace, Bogle said it’s relatively unusual for the regime to tear down one of the leader’s residences. The last time this happened was in 2014, when North Korea demolished the Hyangsan Palace where DPRK founder Kim Il Sung allegedly died, according to the expert.

A timelapse depicting the demolition of the Ryokpo Palace facilities in April 2024 | Images: Planet Labs

Colin Zwirko contributed reporting to this article. Edited by Alannah Hill