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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Antony Thrower & Ryan Fahey

Kim Jong-un dodges public for 12 days relaxing on mega-yacht amid North Korean famine

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has been holidaying on a custom-built yacht while his nation starves during a severe crop famine, according to satellite images.

Kim's 180ft-long luxury vessel was spotted in satellite images over Hodo Peninsula, a secluded bay just north of his family home at Wonsan.

His flashy boat was accompanied by another 60ft-long vessel.

Floods are continuing to batter North Korea, ripping through the country's farms and worsening an already severe food shortage.

Kim has not been seen in public for 12 days while the waters continue to rage through the country's streets and homes.

Independent outlet NK News reported he was also not seen for 19 days in July.

The Hodo beach where the luxury ship was spotted is one of Kim's favourite locations - a remote stretch that is completely isolated and can't be accessed via main roads.

The aerial images show a red-roofed structure that has been seen overhead during several of Kim's getaways.

When he visited Wonsan recently, it was seen anchored off the coast - where the nuke-mad despot has his own marina.

During a holiday in April, it was repaired at nearby Tae Island.

Earlier in 2022 it was reported North Korea's office workers and factory labourers were dispatched to farming areas to join the struggle against drought, amid concerns over prolonged food shortages.

The North Korean had called for measures to improve a tense food situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and typhoons.

Newspaper Rodong Sinmun said government officials were among those sent in an attempt to ease the dire situation.

The media outlet reported: "Systematic, aggressive efforts are under way to raise public awareness and mobilise all available capabilities to prevent crop damages from drought in advance."

Last year the supreme leader advised North Koreans to tighten their belts and eat less for the next few years because of food shortages.

The secretive state closed its border with China at the start of 2020 due to Covid with particular fear in North Korea what damage the virus could do with its limited health system.

A resident told Radio Free Asia (RFA) : “Two weeks ago, they told the neighbourhood watch unit meeting our food emergency would continue until 2025.

“Authorities emphasised the possibility of reopening customs between North Korea and China before 2025 was very slim.

“The food situation right now is already clearly an emergency, and the people are struggling with shortages.

“When the authorities tell them that they need to conserve and consume less food until 2025… they can do nothing but feel great despair."

Other helpful advice dished out last year included eating swans.

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