Amid his rapid weight loss this year and other health mysteries, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has continued to take longer and more frequent breaks out of the public eye, a trend that started last year.

As of Friday, Kim recorded his seventh break of two or more weeks out of sight this year — a record only surpassed in 2020 while he navigated the first year of the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

His current absence of 14 days and counting follows a military parade he attended in Pyongyang on Sept. 9. It also coincides with two missile tests that he reportedly did not attend, though state media has been known to hide his presence at such tests in the past. 

Kim made his most recent public appearances after the nighttime parade on Sept. 9, meeting with participants and visiting the shrine to the country’s former leaders. State media reported these events on Sept. 10. Since then, there’s been a noticeable uptick in activity at Kim’s favorite east coast retreat.

MORE R&R?

Kim could be taking another vacation like he has after other major events in the past, with Planet Labs satellite imagery showing new activity at his luxurious Wonsan retreat this month.

A 60-meter-long (200 foot) pool boat that’s been in the Kim family for decades appeared to move to his private beach at the Wonsan residence on the same day as the Sept. 9 military parade, possibly in preparation for the DPRK leader’s arrival. 

The boat had been parked at the beach intermittently since May, but appeared to be moved to Kim’s private storage docks near the city center for a few days just prior to the military parade.   

Then, between Sept. 12 and 13, Kim’s 50-meter (164 foot) leisure boat was taken out to Tae island off the nearby Kalma peninsula, where such boats are typically anchored for months at a time during summer. The Kim family or other special guests may use this location, as reports have suggested in the past. 

Satellite images of the Kim family’s Wonsan mansion complex are not available for every day of the last two weeks, so it is difficult to determine exactly what kinds of activities took place there during that time.

But Kim and his family have been known to take breaks and even celebrate privately after major events: One week after Kim shed tears over the country’s poor economy at another military parade in Oct. 2020, a giant inflatable water slide was visible at an apparent party at the Wonsan home. 

Recently released high-resolution Planet Labs imagery also reveals what looks like a party or gathering on Aug. 19, during Kim’s previous extended break from public view that lasted three weeks.

Just before noon on that day, two of Kim’s multi-million dollar Princess brand yachts — one appearing to measure 29 meters (95 foot) long and another 26 meters (86 foot) — and a smaller 20 meter (65 foot) yacht cruised around the Wonsan mansion beach. A blue tent or shade was also on the lawn and a new swimming pool built in recent years in front of the beach was filled with water on that day.

Though it is not possible to confirm if Kim Jong Un was present for the recent activities in Wonsan, the home and other mansions in the area appear to have been busier over the last few months than in some previous years. 

A train was parked and frequently changed positions in dozens of high-resolution images taken between early June and late August at the family’s private train station, located next to their new equestrian track and just down the road from their mansions.

HEALTH ISSUES

Kim Jong Un emerged from a long break from public in June looking “emaciated,” as one Pyongyang citizen said on state television. Some mainstream outlets claimed that Kim looked even thinner at his most recent appearance at the military parade, suggesting medical procedures or intense dieting and exercise to lose the weight have coincided with previous long stints out of public view this year. 

Apparent health issues have persisted recently as well, as Kim showed up at political events in July with a mysterious green spot and bandage on the back of his head.

Meanwhile, hundreds of members of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) are expected to travel to Pyongyang from around the country this weekend for a major session on Sept. 28. The DPRK leader has attended SPA sessions before, but he skipped the previous three.

He could also convene a politburo meeting prior to next week’s session, as he has before some SPA sessions in the past. 

Edited by Arius Derr