The key facts

  • Four vessels (50, 55, 60, and 80 meters) repeatedly appeared near Kim Jong Un's villa in Wonsan in 2026
  • The 80-meter vessel with a pool and slides has been moored near the Kalm Peninsula since July; ownership is not officially disclosed
  • Amidst this, UN data indicates about 40% of North Korea's population suffers from malnutrition, and a 14-day vacation is inaccessible to most

Ships off the coast of Wonsan

Satellite images analyzed by the BBC show that large vessels were repeatedly present off the coast of Wonsan in North Korea from July to mid-October 2026. The most attention-grabbing was an 80-meter vessel featuring a 50-meter pool on deck and a group of water slides. After several months of maintenance downtime, it moved in early July to the coastal strip near the Kalm Peninsula, close to the villa used by Kim Jong Un and his family. The BBC tracked a total of four vessels approximately 50, 55, 60, and 80 meters in length; all appeared near the villa this year. The 50- and 55-meter vessels were seen near the islands of Tae and Sin until the end of August, while the 60-meter vessel remained near the villa until last week. Four smaller boats were observed near the 50-meter vessel.

Who owns the vessels

North Korea has not officially disclosed ownership of the vessels, but according to former North Korean officials, defectors, and experts, it is unlikely that anyone unconnected to the country's leadership could freely use vessels of such size. Ri Jong Ho, a former employee of the Workers' Party's Office 39, which is believed to handle the leadership's foreign currency funds, stated that the vessels were kept at a shipyard in winter and moved to Kim Jong Un's villa or Kalm for recreation in summer. Satellite imagery expert Jeong Seong-hak noted that small islands like Tae and Sin serve as 'secluded seaside residences' ensuring privacy, while small boats transported people, fuel, and supplies. The BBC also found a vessel with similar characteristics in Wonsan in historical images from 2002, during Kim Jong Il's rule. Dennis Rodman, a former NBA player who visited North Korea in 2013, told The Sun that he spent a significant part of his visit with Kim Jong Un in the Wonsan area, riding jet skis and horses, and described a 60-meter vessel as something between a ferry and a 'Disney boat'; it is unclear if this refers to the same vessel seen in the images.

Contrast with the population's life

The cost of the observed vessels is unknown, but comparable luxury yachts range from tens of millions to over 100 million dollars; Kim's smaller 29-meter yacht, the Princess, was previously estimated at around 7 million dollars. According to the UN, North Korea's GDP per capita in 2024 was about $667 compared to $36,227 in South Korea. A 2025 UN report speaks of 'systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations,' forced labor, and chronic food shortages, with an estimated 40% of the population suffering from malnutrition. Defectors told the BBC that workers, employees, and cooperative members are formally entitled to 14 days of annual leave, but this is rarely observed; travel outside one's city or county requires official permission.

Wonsan as a resort

Wonsan, where Kim Jong Un spent part of his childhood with his mother according to biographers and intelligence reports, has been associated with the family since the era of Kim Jong Il. North Korean state media rarely report on Kim's leisure activities, presenting such visits as inspections, but defectors knew the family spent vacations in Wonsan. State media claim that Wonsan has high-rise hotels, restaurants, shops, sports facilities, and water parks capable of accommodating nearly 20,000 visitors. The Wonsan Kalma resort opened in July 2025; Russian and North Korean media published photos of groups of Russian tourists. According to South Korean media citing an unnamed source, local residents were offered four-night tours for approximately $100—a significant sum for most North Koreans. 'Kim Jong Un must be the

Satellite images of four luxury vessels associated with Kim Jong UnImage source, Vantor/BBC
A satellite image showing an 80-metre-long vessel from above, with waterslides on the left side and a large, four-lane swimming pool measuring around 50 metres in length.
A graphic showing satellite images of vessels docked at the Wonsan maintenance dock in a 2×2 grid. The images are dated, clockwise from the top left, 24 October 2025, 31 January 2026, 9 July 2026 and 12 April 2026. The October 2025 image shows vessels measuring approximately 55m and 80m long. The January and April 2026 images show vessels measuring 50m and 80m, while the July 2026 image shows only the 50m vessel.
A close-up satellite image of the Wonsan area, with locator points marking Wonsan Villa, Wonsan Maintenance Dock, Kalma Peninsula, Tae Island and Sin Island.
North Korean tourists visit the beach at the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, North Korea, on 2 July 2025. Four people in swimsuits splash water at one another.Image source, AFP via Getty Images
Image caption,

North Korean tourists on a beach in Kalma

North Korean women cycle across Hamhung Square on February 03, 2019 in Hamhung, North Korea. Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Ordinary North Koreans struggle to earn a decent living

Two satellite images dated 4 July 2026 and 9 October 2026, showing an 80-metre-long vessel off the Kalma Peninsula.
A satellite image dated 25 Aug 2026 shows two vessels, the 50m and 55m, off Tae and Sin Islands close to Wonsan.
The 50m vessel was seen in waters nearby Tae island on 4 July 2026.Image source, Vantor
Image caption,

The 50m vessel was seen in waters near Tae island on 4 July 2026.

A satellite image taken on 9 July 2026 showing a 60-metre-long vessel anchored off Wonsan Villa, alongside a close-up of the vessel.
A satellite image taken in November 2002 showing an 80-metre-long vessel anchored off Wonsan.
A young Ko Yong Hui at the centre, Kim Jong Un on the left, and Kim Jong Il on the right. A Japanese flag (L) and a North Korean flag behind the trioA K-pop star looks down the barrel of the camera, yellow tinged mountains behind himThis picture taken on February 16, 2026 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 17, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) and his daughter Ju Ae (L) responding to citizens at the inauguration ceremony of 10,000 flats at fourth stage in Hwasong area of Pyongyang.