Satellite images show luxury vessel near Kim Jong Un summer retreat

Satellite photographs show an 80-metre luxury vessel moving repeatedly off the coast of Wonsan in North Korea between July and mid-October. BBC News reported that the boat features a 50-metre swimming pool along its deck and a cluster of waterslides at one end. [1]

The vessel moved in early July after sitting idle for months at a maintenance facility. According to BBC News, it relocated to waters near the Kalma Peninsula, close to a seaside resort with a sprawling villa used by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his family. A handful of other large vessels were also on the move in the area. [1]

Kim Jong Un has served as the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il. He holds the positions of general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs Commission. [4]

Under the direction of Kim, North Korea has codified nuclear weapons as part of its defense posture and conducted multiple missile launches. Persistent international sanctions and resource allocation continue to constrain economic growth and contribute to humanitarian challenges in the country. [5]