North Korea builds private runways so plane-loving Kim can land next to his palaces

[KimJongUn]

North Korea builds private runways so plane-loving Kim can land next to his palaces

PUBLISHED : Thursday, 20 August, 2015, 4:41pm
UPDATED : Thursday, 20 August, 2015, 4:41pm

Reuters in Seoul

His father was afraid to fly, but North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has taken to the skies, building a series of small runways long enough to land light, private aircraft next to some of his palaces, satellite imagery shows.

Construction of Kim’s personal landing strips began in 2014 and some were completed as recently as last month, according to satellite imagery identified by Curtis Melvin of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

“These runways are located near Kim family compounds – sometimes within the security perimeters – and next to private train stations that were used by Kim Jong Il,” Melvin said.

Kim Jong Un giving field guidance to the machine plant managed by Jon Tong Ryol. Photo: Reuters

The young leader’s father, Kim Jong Il, was famously afraid of flying and travelled everywhere by armoured train – including on official state visits to China and Russia.

But Kim Jong Un has paid much attention to aviation during his three-year rule over the isolated and impoverished country.

State television has shown him piloting planes – including a small Cessna-like single-engined plane manufactured in North Korea – and sitting in the cockpit of a fighter jet.

Kim Jong Un giving field guidance to the construction of the Mirae Scientists Street at his plane. Photo: Reuters

Photos shown at a state concert in April last year showed Kim as a young boy, dressed in a child-sized North Korean air force uniform and saluting. He has hosted two “flying contests” for North Korean pilots since he came to power in late 2011.

In addition to various titles, Kim also officially holds the rank of Marshal in the North Korean military.

One of the five new runways, beside a private palace in the eastern port city of Wonsan, was built over a helipad where Kim greeted basketball player Dennis Rodman and his delegation in September 2013.

Kim Jong Un getting on a flight as he gives field guidance to the machine plant managed by Jon Tong Ryol. Photo: Reuters

The 500-metre-long airstrip is a few hundred metres from the Songdowon Children’s Camp, and a sandy tourist beach open to foreigners.

The palace area is also home to Kim Jong Un’s private yachts, jet skis, and villas he uses to entertain friends and guests.

Another landing strip identified by Melvin lies a short drive from another sprawling palace complex where Japanese sushi chef Kenji Fujimoto said in his memoirs he spent summers with the late Kim Jong Il.

Late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, who hated flying, pictured in 2010 waving from a train while leaving Beijing ending his five-day visit to China. Photo: AFP

In February, state media released photos of Kim Jong Un inspecting Pyongyang construction work from the windows of his private jet – a converted Soviet-era Ilyushin IL-62 named “Chammae-1” after a native species of hawk. The inside is plush, with leather chairs, crystal ashtrays and large wooden tables.

After inspecting a factory making light aircraft in April, Kim Jong Un “personally conducted” a take-off and landing test.

“I have to try the airplane as it was produced by our working class,” Kim Jong Un said, according to state media.