Satellite images have repeatedly captured an 80m luxury vessel with a 50m pool and waterslides off North Korea's Wonsan coast, near Kim Jong Un's summer villa, highlighting the gulf between the elite's opulence and most North Koreans' deprivation.
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01Summary
- 01An 80m luxury yacht with a 50m swimming pool and waterslides was spotted off the Wonsan coast from July to mid-October 2025.
- 02Four large vessels (50m, 55m, 60m and 80m) were repeatedly seen near Kim's villa on the Kalma Peninsula.
- 03The largest vessel moved from a maintenance facility to waters off Kalma Peninsula in July and has remained there since.
- 04A UN report estimates 40% of North Koreans are undernourished; per capita GDP was around $667 in 2024.
- 05Defectors say ordinary North Koreans rarely get leave and need official permission to travel outside their city.
02Why it matters
This story underscores the vast inequality in North Korea, where the leadership enjoys luxury yachts while most citizens face severe restrictions and food shortages. It also offers a rare glimpse into the secretive lifestyle of the Kim family.
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