Satellite imagery reveals an 80-metre luxury vessel anchored off North Korea’s Wonsan coast, featuring a 50-metre swimming pool and water slides. The boat has sat idle at a maintenance facility for months before relocating in early July to waters near the Kalma Peninsula.
This location is critical. It sits close to the sprawling villa used by leader Kim Jong Un and his family. The presence of these vessels suggests a private retreat far removed from the daily struggles of the general population.
Hidden Summer Retreat
Analysts tracked four large vessels, ranging from 50 to 80 metres, moving around the area. Ri Jong Ho, a former official at the Workers’ Party’s Office 39, explained the routine. “In winter, they would keep them at the shipyard. When summer came, they would bring them out and move them to Kim Jong Un’s villa or towards Kalma, and use them for swimming and recreation,” he said. The largest vessel has remained off Kalma since July, accompanied by smaller boats ferrying fuel and supplies.
Gap in Public Life
The movement of these ships often overlaps with gaps in Kim’s public appearances. Biographers note Wonsan has been a family stronghold since the Kim Jong Il era. A defector who guarded elite residences in the 1990s recalled seeing dozens of young people waterskiing during the summer. While state media frames visits as official inspections, the reality appears to be leisure.
Unattainable Luxury
For most North Koreans, such holidays are impossible. The country’s per capita GDP was roughly $667 in 2024, compared to South Korea’s $36,227. While a new Kalma resort opened in July 2025, a four-night package costs around $100, a significant sum for locals. Most citizens lack the time or permission to travel, making the regime’s private maritime escape a stark contrast to the chronic food shortages and strict state control faced by the majority.
Source: BBC World
This article was compiled by the IndiaBBCNews editorial system from verified international news sources. Facts have been independently reviewed. Original reporting: BBC World.
