North Korean officials vanish from state media after Kim Jong Un’s new 5,000-ton nuclear destroyer capsized during its launch, signaling the dictator’s deadly displeasure over the humiliating naval disaster.
Key Takeaways
- Senior Navy Commander Kim Myong Sik and shipyard manager Hong Gil Ho were digitally removed from all state media images, indicating likely punishment or execution
- The 5,000-ton missile destroyer capable of launching nuclear weapons capsized on May 21, enraging Kim Jong Un who called it a “criminal act” deserving prosecution
- Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered rapid repairs by late June, with state media claiming the vessel has been fully restored despite expert skepticism
- The purge represents the most significant editing of state media images since the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, indicating severe consequences for those deemed responsible
- Despite the embarrassing failure, North Korea continues advancing its nuclear navy program with plans to build two more destroyers
Digital Deletion Signals North Korean Purge
In a chilling display of how North Korea handles failure, state media has systematically erased two key military figures from official photographs following the embarrassing capsizing of a 5,000-ton missile destroyer. Former Navy Commander Kim Myong Sik and Chongjin Shipyard manager Hong Gil Ho have been meticulously removed from images showing Kim Jong Un inspecting naval vessels. The digital deletions were first noticed in footage aired by Korean Central Television (KCTV), where the two officials who previously appeared alongside the dictator were conspicuously absent, their positions filled with empty space or altered backgrounds.
This type of image manipulation represents the most significant case of North Korean historical revisionism since the notorious purge and execution of Jang Song-thaek, Kim’s uncle, in 2013. Experts note that such dramatic editing typically signals severe punishment, with Pak Kwang-sop reportedly replacing Kim Myong-sik as chief navy commander. The comprehensive nature of the removals across multiple state media outlets suggests an organized effort to completely erase the officials from the public record, a hallmark of North Korean punishment for those who have fallen from favor.
North Korea has detained key officials following a failed launch that damaged a destroyer, state media reported. https://t.co/Az2DcMUc1g
— Bloomberg (@business) May 25, 2025
Catastrophic Launch Triggers Kim’s Wrath
The cascade of consequences stems from the May 21 failed launch of a 5,000-ton guided-missile destroyer that keeled over at the Chongjin Shipyard. The vessel, intended to showcase North Korea’s growing naval might, instead became a source of international ridicule when it capsized and partially submerged during what should have been a triumphant launch ceremony. Kim Jong Un, who has invested considerable national resources into military modernization, was reportedly furious. State media reported that he immediately ordered an investigation and demanded the vessel be repaired by late June, an extremely ambitious timeline given the extent of the damage.
“Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a stern assessment, saying that it was a serious accident and criminal act caused by sheer carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism which should never occur and could not be tolerated,” reported The Korean Central News Agency.
Following the disaster, reports indicate that at least four officials were arrested, including three shipyard officials and one senior military officer. Hong Gil-ho was reportedly immediately summoned for investigation after the incident. The swift and severe reaction demonstrates the high stakes of failure in North Korea’s hierarchical system, where loyalty and competence are measured by the same yardstick – pleasing the supreme leader. The public nature of the failure made punishment inevitable, as Kim’s regime rarely tolerates embarrassment on the international stage.
Nuclear Navy Ambitions Undeterred
Despite the humiliating setback, North Korea claims to have successfully refloated and repaired the destroyer. Kim Jong Un and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, attended a relaunch ceremony at Rajin Port, with state media declaring the ship fully restored. However, military analysts have expressed skepticism about the completeness of the repairs given the compressed timeline. Satellite imagery confirmed the ship’s progression from capsized to upright, but questions remain about its seaworthiness and combat readiness after such a rapid restoration effort.
The destroyer represents a critical component of Kim’s strategy to develop a nuclear-armed navy. It is one of two new 5,000-ton naval destroyers built within the past year, both designed to carry and launch nuclear weapons. This naval expansion signals North Korea’s determination to project power beyond its shores and complicate the strategic calculations of regional adversaries. Far from abandoning these ambitions after the launch disaster, Kim has doubled down, announcing plans to build two more destroyers in the coming year as part of his military modernization program.
“Soon, enemies will experience how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters,” threatened Kim Jong Un.
The purge of officials responsible for the launch failure demonstrates the brutal efficiency of North Korea’s accountability system. While democratic nations might convene investigation committees or accept resignations, Kim’s regime simply erases the offenders – first from their positions, then from the historical record, and sometimes from existence altogether. The message is unmistakable: failure is not an option when building North Korea’s nuclear navy, regardless of the technical challenges or resource constraints faced by those tasked with implementing Kim’s ambitious military vision.
