Key facts
- An 80-meter luxury vessel with a 50-meter pool and waterslides was observed near Kim Jong Un's Wonsan retreat.
- The vessel has been sighted in satellite images from July to mid-October.
- Four large vessels, ranging from 50m to 80m, were tracked around Wonsan this year.
- Former officials suggest these vessels are for the leadership's recreation.
An 80-meter luxury vessel, equipped with a 50-meter swimming pool and waterslides, has been repeatedly observed in satellite images off North Korea's Wonsan coast between July and mid-October. The vessel relocated to waters near Kim Jong Un's seaside villa on the Kalma Peninsula in early July. This area is known as a resort with a sprawling villa used by the North Korean leader and his family. Several other large vessels were also seen near Kim's villa, believed to be used by the leadership for recreation.
Former officials and defectors state that such large vessels are difficult for anyone unconnected to the regime to own or use freely. Ri Jong Ho, a former official at the Workers' Party's Office 39, noted that these boats are brought out in the summer for swimming and recreation near Kim's villa. While North Korea is classified as one of the world's poorest countries, its leadership is known to live in luxury, with comparable yachts costing tens of millions of dollars.
The movements of these vessels coincide with gaps in Kim Jong Un's public appearances, suggesting activities that remain out of public view. Wonsan has historical ties to the Kim family, with experts noting its association since Kim Jong Il's rule. A defector recalled seeing dozens of young people enjoying watersports at Wonsan villas during summers in the 1990s and early 2000s.
North Korean state media rarely reports on Kim's holidays, framing them as official inspections. However, defectors suggest some North Koreans are aware of the family's Wonsan retreats. The Wonsan Kalma resort, which opened in July 2025, is promoted for foreign and local tourists, though tour packages are expensive for the average North Korean, whose per capita GDP is a fraction of South Korea's. For most citizens, holidays are out of reach due to strict leave policies and travel restrictions.
The BBC tracked four large vessels around Wonsan, with the 80m vessel showing the clearest activity. Smaller boats were seen ferrying supplies to the larger vessel, utilizing secluded islands for privacy. A similar large vessel was observed in Wonsan in 2002 during Kim Jong Il's rule. Former NBA player Dennis Rodman described a 60m vessel used during his 2013 visit as a cross between a ferry and a Disney boat.