BBC identifies vessel with 50-metre pool off North Korea's Wonsan

The BBC reported that satellite images repeatedly showed an 80-metre vessel with a 50-metre swimming pool and water slides off Wonsan in North Korea.

Journalists examined images taken between July and mid-October. According to the investigation, the vessel moved towards the Kalma Peninsula in early July after spending months at a maintenance shipyard. A coastal residence used by Kim Jong Un and his family is nearby.

Other large vessels measuring about 50, 55 and 60 metres were also observed around Wonsan. The BBC linked them to the ruling family's leisure activities through satellite imagery and accounts from former North Korean officials.

A former official involved in handling foreign-currency earnings for the leadership told the BBC that the vessels were kept at shipyards in winter and taken towards the residence or the Kalma coast for sea trips and recreation in summer.

Wonsan served as a retreat for the ruling family during Kim Jong Il's time in power. Former basketball player Dennis Rodman also described spending time there after visiting North Korea in 2013.