Satellite images reveal Kim Jong-un may be at luxury family villa
New satellite images showing the recent movements of luxury boats by Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, have provided further indications that he may be ensconced in his seaside villa in Wonsan, on the country’s east coast.
The location of the reclusive leader has been a mystery since his unprecedented no-show at April 15 events to mark the birthday of his late grandfather and North Korea’s founder, Kim Il Sung.
His absence, for the first time since he took power in 2011, unleashed a torrent of speculation about his health conditions, with unverified and conflicting reports claiming he was both recuperating from cardiovascular surgery and in “grave danger.”
On Tuesday, commercial satellite imagery obtained by North Korea-monitoring website NK PRO showed boats often used by Kim had made movements in patterns that suggested he or his entourage may be in the Wonsan area.
“Extensive analysis shows that similar leisure boat movements at an exclusive villa in Wonsan and a nearby island near the Kalma peninsula have aligned with Kim’s public appearances in the area in every one of a half-dozen instances since last summer, and many more dating back to 2013,” it said.
The imagery adds to earlier satellite pictures studied by the Washington-based North Korea monitoring project 38 North, which appeared to show that a train similar to Kim’s was parked in the resort’s so-called “leadership station” reserved for the use of the Kim family a week ago.
South Korean and US officials have sought to downplay the reasons for his absence amid fears that any change in leadership in the authoritarian state could trigger instability in North Asia and impact the United States, currently grappling with the coronavirus pandemic.
Kim Yeon-chul, the South Korean Unification Minister, suggested on Tuesday that it was plausible Kim that decided to miss the April 15 celebrations, an important national holiday known as the Day of the Sun, out of concerns about the coronavirus.
North Korea since January has taken several draconian measures to keep out Covid-19, including the sealing of its borders. “Many anniversary events including celebrations and a banquet had been cancelled because of coronavirus concerns,” the minister told a parliamentary hearing.
“I don’t think that’s particularly unusual given the current (coronavirus) situation,” he added. North Korea so far has claimed it has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
An authoritative source familiar with US intelligence assessments told Reuters that credible reports to the US government suggested Kim’s presidential train had been spotted in Wonsan because he was avoiding catching the virus.
Wonsan also holds symbolic power for the Kim dynasty as Kim Il Sung first landed there with Soviet troops to take over the country at the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
The family villa, where Kim spent his youth riding jet skis and playing in the pool, is said to be his personal favourite. He was once pictured there sipping drinks with American basketball player Dennis Rodman when the star visited North Korea in 2013.
The luxury Wonsan complex includes nine large guesthouses, a protected port, shooting range, and a covered dock that is believed to be for Kim’s mega yacht. A nearby small runway is reported to have been converted into a horse-riding track.
State media has revealed little about Kim’s location and activities since he last presided over a meeting on April 11, but has frequently reported on letters and diplomatic messages that he has been sending in recent days.
