Satellite images show luxury vessels near Kim Jong Un’s Wonsan retreat

Satellite images show four large vessels repeatedly near Kim Jong Un’s seaside retreat in Wonsan this year, including an 80-metre boat fitted with a swimming pool about 50 metres long and waterslides. The images offer a rare glimpse of luxury around North Korea’s leadership, though they do not establish who was aboard or who officially owns the vessels. [1]

The BBC analysed satellite imagery showing the 80-metre vessel moving from a maintenance dock in early July to waters off the Kalma Peninsula, near Wonsan. It remained there through mid-October. Three other vessels, measuring about 50, 55 and 60 metres, were also seen near the area at various points this year. The 60-metre vessel was photographed near Kim’s villa as recently as last week. [1]

North Korea has not publicly disclosed the boats’ ownership. Former officials, defectors and experts told the BBC that vessels of this size would be difficult for anyone outside the leadership to own or use freely. Ri Jong Ho, a former official at the Workers’ Party’s Office 39, said the boats were brought out in summer for swimming and recreation near Kim’s villa or Kalma. [1]

Wonsan has long been associated with the ruling family. A former guard told the BBC that villas in the area served as a retreat for the elite under Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il. Satellite images also show a large vessel with distinctive features in Wonsan in 2002, although the BBC said it could not establish whether it was the same boat seen today. [1]

The scale of the vessels contrasts with hardship across the country. A 2025 United Nations report estimated that 40% of North Koreans are undernourished. The BBC said the cost of the boats is unknown; comparable luxury yachts can cost tens of millions of dollars or more than $100m. [1]

The vessels’ locations cannot prove that Kim or his family were present. But their repeated movements near the retreat, sometimes overlapping with gaps in Kim’s public appearances, may offer clues to private activity that is rarely described in North Korean state media. [1]