North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s luxury yachts were spotted sailing despite severe flooding that caused extensive damage among civilians in the Sinuiju area.
According to Radio Free Asia on August 21, the lack of recent reports on Kim Jong-un’s wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae, suggests that the Kim family might be on a summer vacation.
Satellite images captured by the U.S. commercial satellite company Planet Labs from June 27 to August 19 show Kim Jong-un’s private luxury yachts operating near his Wonsan-Kalma villa in Gangwon Province.
On August 18, an 80-meter (262 feet) luxury yacht was spotted sailing near the Kalma Peninsula, while on the same day, 50-meter and 55-meter yachts were detected near Daedo and Sindo islands, located 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) north of the peninsula. Another 60-meter yacht was anchored in front of the Wonsan villa.
Three of Kim Jong-un’s four luxury yachts were observed at sea. These yachts were introduced during the 1990s, under the rule of Kim Jong-il, before United Nations sanctions against North Korea were implemented, and have since been primarily used by the Kim family.
Notably, the 80-meter yacht, equipped with a water slide and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, has been confirmed to be operating in the waters off Wonsan for nearly two months.
Jung Sung-hak, a researcher at the Korea Peninsula Security Strategy Institute, analyzed satellite images and told RFA, “It appears that the luxurious yachts exclusively used by the Kim family were spotted sailing between the Wonsan port, the villa, and nearby islands, seemingly enjoying the summer amidst the sweltering August heat.”
He added, “Despite the recent severe national flooding, there is a possibility that the Kim family is vacationing to escape the summer heat.”
Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, commented, “Kim Ju-ae has not been seen for nearly two months, and Ri Sol-ju has also been absent from public view for several months, which suggests that the Kim family, including these individuals, might be on a summer vacation.”
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
