Kim Jong Un demolishes his winter palace in North Korea in an unprecedented move. Here's why
Kim Jong Un meets troops who have taken part in the military parade. Satellite image of winter palace (inset).
North Korean leaderKim Jong Un, in an 'unusual' move, demolished several structures inside his winter palaceestate, one of his most luxurious residences, as per new satellite images.
"The latest satellite images show that Kim Jong Un's Ryokpo Palace residence is being removed or remodelled," posted an account @NobodyGerman on X, which was the first to flag the demolition.
This step might be a sign ofthe expansion of military operations in Pyongyang, according to the experts.
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Ryokpo Palace is located on the outskirtsof Pyongyang and is the winter palacecomplex of Kim Jong Un. It brings back the spotlight on the opulent lifestyleof the leader in contrast to the poor conditions in which the majority of North Koreans live.
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In the aerial photos of the Ryokpo Palace complex, a dirt lot is seen where the blue-roofed mansion once stood, according to the analyst NobodyGerman.
Expansion of military operations in North Korea?
As per the experts, the recent demolitions hint at possible transformations in North Korea, which include potential transfers of property for military use.
As per a report published by North Korea-focused analyst group NK Pro, the complex's "main residential buildings and auxiliary structures" were likely demolished between April 21 and 25.
The demolition work hints that North Korea will put the sprawling palatial complex under military control, said the report, emphasising that this can be a part of recent efforts being made by the North Korean leader to modernise his armed forces.
The experts were cited in the report as stating that the move could be related to Kim's designs of assigning an expanded role to the military in national development or consolidating military facilities.
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The demolition of thewinter palacetook place after Kim's regime changed the country's constitution to label South Korea as the "principal enemy" andorganisations that had been given the task of promotinginter-Korean cooperation or pro-unification rhetoric were dismantled.
To remove any references to the reunification range, Kim Jong Un also destroyed a100-foot monumentbuilt by Kim's father Kim Jong Il andgot rid of commemorative stamps.
North Korea has been working towards developing its capable ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons programme at a steady speed in defiance ofUnited NationsSecurity Council resolutions.
(With inputs from agencies)