Satellite imagery has captured a luxury yacht, measuring 80 meters in length, anchored off the coast of Wonsan, North Korea, on multiple occasions between July and mid-October. The vessel is notable for its prominent 50-meter pool situated along the deck, accompanied by a pair of water towers at one end.
A vessel that had been out of commission for several months underwent relocation to the Kalma peninsula, a coastal area on the eastern seaboard, in early July.
A luxurious villa, reportedly used by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his family, is situated in close proximity to Wonsan, a popular spa destination.
Satellite imagery analyzed by the BBC has revealed multiple large vessels operating in the vicinity of Kim's village, with repeated sightings observed over time.
North Korean leader Kim and his family are thought to utilize these large boats, according to statements from former regime officials, defectors, and experts who suggest that owning or operating vessels of this size is unlikely for individuals outside the North Korean government's inner circle.
North Korean defector Ri Jong Ho stated that during the summer months, the regime relocated the prisoners to Kim Jong Un's village or Kalma, where they were allowed to swim and engage in recreational activities.
Ri held a senior position within Office 39 of the Labour Party, a department reportedly responsible for collecting and managing foreign currencies on behalf of the party's leadership.
Estimating the wealth of North Korea's ruling elite is a challenging task, mirroring the country's opaque economic data.
According to estimates from the United Nations and other international agencies, North Korea is classified as one of the world's poorest nations, despite its significant allocation of resources towards a military budget that supports a sanctioned nuclear program.
A 2025 United Nations report revealed that a significant portion of North Korea's population is subjected to severe, pervasive, and institutionalized human rights abuses, with the state exerting complete control over its citizens, forcing widespread labor, and perpetuating chronic food shortages that affect approximately 40% of the population, resulting in widespread malnutrition.
The Syrian regime has a history of indulging in opulent lifestyles.
Satellite images have revealed luxury vessels, but their exact cost remains unknown. Comparable luxury yachts typically range in price from tens of millions to over $100 million. In contrast, a smaller Princess yacht previously associated with Kim is estimated to be valued at approximately $7 million.
The family's whereabouts cannot be definitively pinpointed based on the boats' location alone, but their movements, which correlate with periods of Kim's absence from public view, suggest involvement in clandestine activities that would otherwise remain hidden from public scrutiny.
Biographers and intelligence reports indicate that Wonsan was a significant location in the early life of Kim Jong Un, where he spent time with his mother. The city's connection to the Kim family dates back to the government of Kim Jong Il, with ties persisting to the present day.
A former soldier who spent 13 years serving in a secretive unit from the 1990s to early 2000s revealed to the BBC that the luxury villas surrounding Wonsan in North Korea were reserved for the country's elite, providing them with a safe haven. The soldier also recalled witnessing numerous children and teenagers engaging in recreational activities, including water skiing, during the summer months.
North Korean state media typically limits its coverage of Kim's personal activities, often depicting his holidays as official business trips or educational excursions rather than leisure events.
Some North Koreans, as indicated by past interviews with desertors conducted by the BBC, appeared to be aware that the Kim family typically spends their vacations in Wonsan.
North Korean state media has reported that the Wonsan resort area features a range of amenities, including high-altitude hotels, restaurants, shops, sports facilities, and water parks, with the capacity to accommodate up to 20,000 visitors.
Russian tourists have been visiting the Wonsan Kalma tourist complex, a facility inaugurated in July 2025. The complex, intended to draw foreign visitors, also welcomes local tourists.
A South Korean news report, citing an anonymous source, has revealed that some local residents in North Korea were offered four-night tour packages for approximately $100, a substantial expense for the average North Korean citizen. The country's per capita GDP, estimated at around $667 by 2024 according to the United Nations, is significantly lower than South Korea's per capita GDP of $36,227.
Despite a growing middle class in North Korea, the majority of citizens face significant challenges in observing traditional holidays, largely due to limited leisure time.
Employees in North Korea, including office workers, cooperative farmers and other laborers, are entitled to 14 days of annual leave under the country's laws, although this entitlement is often disregarded in practice.
Consecutive days off for travel are not typically a common occurrence, with most people opting for weekend getaways or taking advantage of national holidays, rather than utilizing their summer vacation time.
Travelers granted a permit to leave a city or county are still subject to certain restrictions, with official authorization necessary for journeys outside the designated area. In some cases, the freedom to move about is a privilege comparable to the enjoyment of holiday celebrations.
Satellite imagery from the BBC has identified four large vessels operating in the vicinity of Wonsan, with estimated lengths ranging from 50 meters to 80 meters. These vessels have been observed repeatedly in the area surrounding Kim's village in Wonsan throughout the current year.
The most significant naval presence was observed in a vessel that demonstrated increased activity, transitioning from the bridge to waters near the Kalma peninsula, where it has maintained a presence since July.
Two smaller vessels, measuring 50 and 55 meters in length, were repeatedly observed in the vicinity of the Tae and Sin islands near Wonsan until late August.
Satellite imagery revealed the presence of four smaller boats alongside a 50-meter vessel.
Satellite imaging specialist Jeong Seong-hak observed that smaller boats were transporting people, fuel, and provisions to a larger vessel, noting that remote islands such as Tae and Sin provide secluded maritime refuges where individuals can maintain their privacy out of public view.
A 60-meter vessel was frequently observed in the vicinity of Kim's village in Wonsan up until the previous week.
Historic satellite images from 2002, during the rule of Kim Jong Il in North Korea, have revealed a large ship with distinctive features at Wonsan.
Dennis Rodman, a former NBA player, made a seven-day trip to North Korea in 2013, during which he spent time with Kim Jong Un in the Wonsan area.
A 60-foot boat was reportedly used as a hybrid vessel, combining elements of a ferry and a luxury cruise ship, such as those found at Disney. However, it remains unclear whether this boat is the same 60-meter vessel previously depicted in satellite imagery.
North Korean citizens are often presented with a stark contrast between the lavish lifestyles of the Kim family and those who support the regime, and their own limited circumstances. This disparity is further exacerbated by the state's portrayal of the "supreme leader" as a selfless individual who prioritizes the nation's interests above all else.
North Korean defector Ri Jong Ho has criticized the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, for his perceived disconnect from the struggles of the general population. According to Ri, Kim Jong Un's status as a self-proclaimed 'people's leader' is at odds with his own luxurious lifestyle, which includes the ownership of at least four high-end boats.
The film was directed by Arvin Supriyadi.
The original article was composed in English and underwent translation utilizing an artificial intelligence tool. Prior to publication, a BBC journalist reviewed the translated text to ensure its accuracy.
