Removed Departed North Korean Naval Commander and Shipyard Manager from Digital Photos Following Maritime Mishap
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Check out this intriguing photo editing job! The original image, featuring North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting a warship under construction, has got a makeover. Guess who's missing in action? None other than Kim Myong-sik, former North Korean naval chief, and Hong Kil-ho, manager of the Chongjin Shipyard, both conspicuously absent in the edited version. Why the disappearing act? The answer lies in a botched launch of a warship, the 5,000-ton Kang Kon destroyer, back in late May 2025[1][2][3].
The disaster was a bit of a buzzkill for North Korea's naval modernization plans, with satellite images revealing the warship had capsized and was partially submerged. Ouch! The fallout from this flop seems to have reached the highest levels, with Hong Kil-ho, the shipyard manager, reportedly grilled by law enforcement[1][2][3].
The digital vanishing act of Kim Myong-sik and Hong Kil-ho from state media images is a curious move, reminiscent of the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, Kim Jong-un's uncle[1][2][3]. Some even see it as a sign of their potential purge or demotion. Interestingly, the state media photos from the subsequent relaunch ceremony suggest that Kim Myong-sik has been replaced as chief navy commander by Pak Kwang-sop, hinting at a correlation between the removals and the warship's failed launch[1][2][3].
[1][2][3]Sources:- The Guardian- BBC News- CNN
In this context, the missing figures in the edited image of Kim Jong-un could potentially be subjects on a 'politics'-focused 'general-news' segment, discussing their disappearance from state media and its possible implications. The 'crime-and-justice' scenario might involve further investigations, as Hong Kil-ho, the shipyard manager, was reportedly questioned by law enforcement due to the failure of the 5,000-ton Kang Kon destroyer.
