When we talk about where the most reclusive leader on the planet sleeps, people usually imagine some James Bond villain lair carved into a mountain. Honestly, that’s not entirely far off. But it’s also a lot more "country club" than you might think. A Kim Jong Un home isn't just a house; it’s a network of luxury compounds, blast-proof bunkers, and private train stations that make the White House look like a fixer-upper.
Most folks think he lives in one big palace in the middle of Pyongyang. He doesn’t. He has dozens. We’re talking about a guy who has a primary residence, a summer retreat, a winter getaway, and several "leadership compounds" scattered across the country. Basically, he moves around constantly, partly for luxury and partly so nobody can pin down exactly where he is at 3:00 AM.
The Ryongsong Residence: Life in Residence No. 55
If you had to pick a "main" Kim Jong Un home, it’s the Ryongsong Residence. Located in northern Pyongyang, this place is massive—roughly 4.6 square miles. To put that in perspective, it’s about the size of a small town.
Inside, it’s all about high-end excess. We have reports from defectors and former staff, like Kim Jong Il’s former bodyguard Lee Young-kuk, describing interiors filled with deep plush carpets, ornate chandeliers, and furniture that costs more than a fleet of cars. It’s not just a house; it’s a fortress.
The security here is legitimately terrifying. The compound is surrounded by electric fences, minefields, and multiple rings of security checkpoints. But the real "villain" stuff happens underground. Beneath the palace sits a wartime headquarters. These walls aren't just thick; they’re reinforced with iron rods and lead shielding. Why lead? To block radiation in the event of a nuclear strike. He’s literally living on top of a nuclear-proof basement.
There’s also a private underground train station. North Korean leaders have a thing for trains—they’re armored, slow, and private. Kim can roll right out of his living room and onto a train without ever seeing the sun or a regular citizen.
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Why a Kim Jong Un home looks like a Five-Star Resort
You’d think a dictator would be all about marble and gold, and he is, but he also really likes his sports. The Ryongsong compound has an Olympic-sized swimming pool (160 feet long) that features a giant waterslide. Imagine the leader of a nuclear state hitting a waterslide on a Tuesday afternoon.
There’s also:
- A private running track and full athletic field.
- Elaborate horse stables and a racing track (the Kims are famously obsessed with horses).
- A shooting range.
- A spa and sauna complex.
It’s basically a self-contained ecosystem. Sources suggest the compound is stocked with enough supplies to let the leadership survive for ten years without ever opening the front door.
The Wonsan Beach Compound: Waikiki in North Korea
When Kim wants to get away from the grit of Pyongyang, he heads to Wonsan. This is his seaside playground. Satellite imagery and accounts from visitors like Dennis Rodman show a sprawling beachside estate. It’s got guest houses, banquet halls, and a massive 230-foot yacht that’s been spotted nearby.
Recently, as of late 2024 and heading into 2026, there’s been a lot of construction in this area. Kim has been pushing the "Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone," trying to turn the area into a world-class resort. But while the "tourist" side is often empty or filled with a few Russian groups, his private side is thriving. This Kim Jong Un home is where he hosts the big parties. We’re talking expensive booze, high-end electronics, and jet skis.
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The Secretive Life of Kangdong Residence
Then there’s the Kangdong Residence, often called the "second main" home. It’s about 19 miles northeast of Pyongyang. This one is sort of the "family" estate. It was built in the 80s and expanded in the 90s.
It’s where he goes for summer retreats or to meet with his most trusted inner circle. It’s slightly more "rustic" if you consider having your own private bowling alley and roller-skating slope rustic. It’s heavily wooded, surrounded by two lines of armored fences, and—surprise, surprise—has its own railway station.
Assessing the 2026 Security Overhaul
Living in a Kim Jong Un home has become a lot more stressful lately. In early 2026, reports from Seoul's Unification Ministry confirmed that Kim replaced three of his top security chiefs. There’s a lot of chatter that he’s getting paranoid about drones.
Because of this, the homes are being retrofitted with jamming equipment and advanced drone detection gear. You won't see a DJI Phantom flying over these gardens. The Bodyguard Command has reportedly shifted their focus from just ground-level threats to "electronic warfare" protection. Even inside his lead-lined walls, he’s looking at the sky.
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Insights for the Curious
If you're trying to track these locations or understand the lifestyle, here are the "actionable" things to keep in mind:
- Watch the Train Tracks: If you’re looking at satellite maps (like Google Earth or 38 North), don't look for the houses first. Look for the private rail lines that end in tunnels. Those almost always lead to a leadership compound.
- Follow the Greenery: In North Korea, most of the country is deforested for fuel. If you see a massive, lush, heavily wooded area with perfectly manicured gardens, you’re likely looking at a Kim Jong Un home.
- The "Hodo Peninsula" Development: Keep an eye on the Hodo Peninsula near Wonsan. This is where the most recent luxury villas have popped up, often featuring styles that look more like modern European architecture than traditional Korean designs.
Understanding where he lives is really about understanding how he rules: in total isolation, surrounded by luxury that the rest of his country can't even imagine, and always with one eye on a lead-lined exit.
To get a real sense of the scale, you can actually find the Ryongsong Residence on Google Maps at coordinates 39.116377, 125.805817. You won't see the waterslide from space—it's usually covered or indoors—but the sheer size of the "Central Luxury Mansion" complex is undeniable.