North Korean Officials Air Brushed out & Vanish from State Media Photos

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North Korean Officials Vanish from State Media After Failed Warship Launch, Sparking Execution Fears

 

Two high-ranking North Korean officials appear to have been erased from official state photographs just months after the country’s humiliating failure to launch a naval destroyer — leading to speculation they may have been executed by order of supreme leader Kim Jong Un, according to a report by NK News.

 

The individuals in question, Admiral Kim Myong Sil and senior shipyard official Hong Kil Ho, were initially pictured standing close to Kim in state media images taken at the Chongjin Shipyard. However, in more recently released versions of those photos, the two men are missing — their absence marked by a suspiciously empty space, suggesting deliberate editing. Analysts say the revision was likely orchestrated by Kim himself, who reportedly blames them for the botched launch.

 

 

The failed attempt to introduce a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer to North Korea’s fleet took place on May 21. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the vessel became destabilized while being lowered into the Sea of Japan. It slid awkwardly into the water, damaging the hull and leaving the ship’s bow jammed against the shipway. The launch was widely seen as a major embarrassment for Pyongyang, particularly given the regime’s regular boasting about military self-reliance and technological advancement.

 

 

In the wake of the mishap, several officials from the shipyard were reportedly arrested. Hong Kil Ho, who oversaw operations at Chongjin Shipyard, was believed to be among at least four officials who faced direct consequences. Despite his long-standing position in the military hierarchy — having served as a top navy commander since Kim Jong Un’s ascent to power in 2011 — Admiral Kim Myong Sil also appears to have suffered the regime’s wrath.

 

Michael Madden, an expert on North Korean leadership and founder of NK Leadership Watch, noted the potential outcomes for such disgraced officials. “If Kim Myong Sik fell on his sword, he may have avoided a public execution and saved his family and close associates from imprisonment,” Madden told The Sun. “On the other hand, if KJU is in a message-sending mood, then they may gather other top officials in the military and defense industry to watch.”

 

The striking absence of Sil and Ho from official imagery has drawn comparisons to the notorious photo manipulation tactics employed by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, who frequently erased political rivals from public photographs to reinforce his own absolute power — one of the most infamous examples being the removal of NKVD chief Nikolai Yezhov.

 

Despite the failed launch in May, North Korea appears to have succeeded in getting the massive warship operational. The vessel was reportedly launched again on Saturday, with state media hailing the event as “convincing proof of the rapid transformation of [the North Korean] Navy.”

 

Nevertheless, the fates of Kim Myong Sil and Hong Kil Ho remain unclear. Their erasure from public view may signal more than just political demotion — in North Korea, it can often be a precursor to imprisonment, forced labor, or even execution.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from NYP  2025-06-20

 

 

[Tug]

Sucks to be N korean.this btw is the country that needs to be put in check.

[Crossy]

An off-topic (US politics) post has been removed.

 

[0ffshore360]

What officials?

[Bkk Brian]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Sucks to be N korean.this btw is the country that needs to be put in check.

Bit late. It's already got nukes

[Tug]

Just now, Bkk Brian said:

Bit late. It's already got nukes

I know and they are cranking them out in spite of his bromance with you know who…still they are and continue to be a far greater threat.

[blaze master]

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

I know and they are cranking them out in spite of his bromance with you know who…still they are and continue to be a far greater threat.

 

Dennis Rodman?

[Bkk Brian]

30 minutes ago, Tug said:

I know and they are cranking them out in spite of his bromance with you know who…still they are and continue to be a far greater threat.

This is not about you know who. This is about Rocket man and him already having nukes so an impossibility to deal with now. It's too late.

[JonnyF]

First thing I thought when I saw that boat lying on it's side was "I wouldn't want to be the Project Manager of that project".

 

Executions were inevitable for such a public embarrassment...

[FlorC]

3 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Bit late. It's already got nukes

And Seoul is only about 70 km from the border.

[Patong2021]

North Korea is  Iran's nuclear equipment supplier.

[Terry Juhlin]

6 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

Dennis Rodman?

Yep, Dennis Rodman …