North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly demolished several buildings on his winter palace’s estate in an “unusual move” which may signal an expansion of the country’s military operations, according to satellite images and experts.
The aerial photos of the Ryokpo Palace complex south of the capital city Pyongyang show a dirt lot where a blue-roofed mansion once stood, as first reported by anonymous North Korean analyst “Nobody German” on X.
The main residential buildings and auxiliary structures were likely torn down sometime between April 21 and April 25, according to an analysis of the satellite images by North Korea-focused news outlet NK Pro.
An expert told the publication that the demolition could indicate that Kim instead plans to use the land where the underutilized palace stood for military operations in what they said was an “unusual move.”
Recently, Kim has been ramping up efforts to modernize the military of the self-isolated country and experts believe the demolition of the opulent palace could indicate he’s working to give military leaders greater control or consolidating military facilities.
Last month, he authorized multiple weapons tests, including salvo launches of “super-large” multiple rocket launchers and the firing of several short-range ballistic missiles.
State media said the drills represented the first test of North Korea’s nuclear weapons management and control system as it develops increasingly advanced ballistic missiles.
Kim’s demolition of his seasonal palace comes as tensions between the country, South Korea and the US deepen over the dictator’s military ramp-up.
Kim has named its southern neighbor as North Korea’s “principal enemy” in the country’s constitution and crushed any reunification initiatives between the two countries.
With Post wires