DELETED FROM EXISTENCE Kim Jong-un’s bungling commanders VANISH from official pics over warship crash humiliation as Stalinist purge laid bare

| Published June 30, 2025

A grand naval ceremony meant to showcase North Korea’s military prowess ended in a spectacular embarrassment—and a chilling crackdown. On May 21, 2025, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un watched in horror as a newly constructed destroyer disastrously malfunctioned during its launch, listing sideways and partially sinking before the eyes of top regime officials. What followed was not just damage control to the warship—but the apparent erasure and likely execution of high-ranking military figures. The regime’s response has reignited global concern over North Korea’s brutal internal discipline and obsessive image control.

⚓ Botched Warship Launch & Purge

• What happened? On May 21, 2025, North Korea launched a new 5,000-ton destroyer—part of the “Choe Hyon” class—at the Chongjin Shipyard. The vessel capsized during the broadside launch: its stern slipped into the water while the bow remained stuck on the ramp, causing considerable hull damage and likely flooding . Kim Jong Un, who was observing the ceremony, lambasted the failure as a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism”.

• State reaction: KCNA reported the damage was “not serious” but still warranted immediate disciplinary action, and multiple officials were arrested post-launch. The wreck, draped in tarps, remained visible to satellite images.

The North Korean propaganda video of Kim Jung Un boasting of his new warship’s pending maiden voyage (with Russian music).

And the warship sunken, covered with blue tarps to hide from the humiliating inevitability of satellite photos.

Loser. pic.twitter.com/GRbSw1zbIM

— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) May 22, 2025

⛓️ The Erasing from Official Records

• Who vanished? Two senior figures—Admiral Kim Myong Sil (head of the Navy) and shipyard director Hong Kil Ho—initially appeared in state photos with Kim, but were later scrubbed from the images.

• Why it matters: Analysts observe that North Korea commonly airbrushes purged or executed officials from official imagery—reminiscent of Stalin-era engineering of propaganda.

  • Michael Madden of NK Leadership Watch commented the practice suggests execution or imminent elimination.

🔥 Execution or Disappearance?

• Speculation: Reports from The New York Post, The Sun, and others suggest these disappearances likely point to executions—possibly public or private—to reinforce discipline.

• Historical consistency: North Korea has a well-documented history of punishing officials harshly: e.g., executions by anti-aircraft fire, purges during collapses, or even burning suspects alive, such as those tied to Jang Song‑thaek.

🔧 What’s Been Repaired Since: A Hasty Cover-Up and Symbolic Relaunch

Despite the public embarrassment and internal fallout, North Korea moved quickly to minimize the visual and political damage. Satellite images taken weeks after the failed May 21 launch revealed the warship—believed to be the Kang Kon, part of the “Choe Hyon”-class destroyers—was repositioned and surrounded by heavy tarpaulins. This suggested that emergency repairs were underway to salvage both the vessel and the narrative surrounding it.

By mid-June, sources report the ship had been re-floated and towed for additional fixes, including hull reinforcement and internal compartment checks. Propaganda outlets in Pyongyang remained largely silent on the repairs, instead quietly releasing new photos that featured the vessel docked and seemingly intact—without any footage of the disastrous launch day itself. The move signaled a tightly controlled rebranding of the incident: from failure to recovery.

Some analysts speculate that the rushed repairs were not only technical but symbolic. With an upcoming Workers’ Party event on the horizon, the regime likely felt pressure to present the ship as operational to preserve the illusion of military advancement. This approach mirrors past patterns: when setbacks occur, North Korea tends to emphasize the “resilience of Juche”—its self-reliance doctrine—by showcasing rapid turnaround efforts, even if they mask deeper structural issues.

What’s less clear is the true seaworthiness of the vessel. Naval experts outside North Korea question whether the ship sustained long-term damage that could compromise its combat performance or stability. But within the regime’s bubble, optics outweigh engineering. If the destroyer can float and fly a flag, it serves its purpose—as a tool of propaganda, not necessarily a weapon of war.

 Resulting Effects: Fear, Control, and International Alarm

The immediate consequence of the botched launch was not just mechanical failure—it was political devastation. High-ranking officials, including Admiral Kim Myong Sil and shipyard director Hong Kil Ho, were swiftly removed from public records, airbrushed from official state media, and presumed executed. This move sent a stark message across North Korea’s military and industrial sectors: failure, even in highly technical operations, would be met with unforgiving punishment.

Internally, this has likely intensified an already pervasive climate of fear. Analysts believe the purge reinforces Kim Jong Un’s dominance through terror, ensuring absolute loyalty among subordinates. Organizational morale, especially within the navy and defense industry, may be shaken, as innovation becomes a risk-laden task under a regime where mistakes are fatal.

Externally, the incident has drawn renewed global scrutiny. Western intelligence agencies and North Korea watchers see the cover-up attempts and photo manipulation as a hallmark of Pyongyang’s information warfare—exposing both the fragility of its propaganda and the brutal lengths it will go to maintain a facade of competence. Meanwhile, South Korea and Japan have stepped up monitoring of naval activity, concerned not just by North Korea’s weapons but by its erratic command environment.

 Bottom Line: A Regime Built on Appearances and Fear

The failed destroyer launch and the swift disappearance of top officials offer a chilling glimpse into the inner workings of Kim Jong Un’s regime—one where image matters more than truth, and loyalty is enforced through fear. Rather than acknowledge a technical setback as a natural part of development, the regime chose to scapegoat its own leaders, reinforcing a pattern of purges that has defined Kim’s rule. While the warship may eventually sail, the deeper damage lies in the message broadcast to North Koreans and the world: in Pyongyang, mistakes are not corrected—they are erased.

SOURCES: THE UK SUN – DELETED FROM EXISTENCE Kim Jong-un’s bungling commanders VANISH from official pics over warship crash humiliation as Stalinist purge laid bare

THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Officials Erased from Existing Photos After North Korea’s National Humiliation

THE WESTERN JOURNAL – Officials Erased from Existing Photos After North Korea’s National Humiliation