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Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Top North Korean commanders vanish from state media images
Kim Jong-un has erased a top military commander and another senior official from state photos after the North Korean leader was reportedly left fuming over a failed warship launch. Navy Commander Admiral Kim Myong Sil and and shipyard boss Hong Kil Ho were airbrushed from images showing them with their leader back in March, sparking speculation that they may have been executed. Original snaps showed Admiral King and the shipyard boss gathered next to the North Korean leader as he inspected the ship. But now, in a move reminiscent of Joseph Stalin's tactics to erase his enemies from Soviet history, the officials have seemingly disappeared from the photos that were originally broadcast on state television. Founder of NK Leadership Watch Michael Madden told The Sun that the removal of a North Korean official from a state media image was a 'strong indication that the person in question has been executed.' Admiral Kim and Hong Kil Ho are understood to have been among the four officials arrested at the northern Chongjin shipyard after Kim Jong-un's guided-missile destroyer sank during its launch on May 21. The North Korean leader was left fuming after the disastrous launch last month, and he accused those responsible for 'severely damaging the [country's] dignity and pride.' Satellite images appeared to show the naval destroyer languishing on its side alongside the dock where the launch ceremony had been held. State media said the 5,000-ton ship, which had been due to enter service next year, is designed to carry weapons systems including near-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. Kim Jong Un, who wants bigger warships to deal with what he calls escalating US-led threats against his country, declared the mishap a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness' that 'could not be tolerated'. He ordered the destroyer be restored by June, but Admiral Kim and Hong Kil Ho were both noticeably absent from the relaunch ceremony. In April Kim unveiled the nuclear-capable naval destroyer that he says will bolster North Korea's ability to defend itself in the face of perceived aggression from the US and its regional allies. The North Korean leader attended the warship's launch ceremony at the western port of Nampo with his teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae, according to state-run media. Ju Ae has been widely regarded by analysts as the likely successor to Kim since she was referred to as a 'great person of guidance' in an official report last year. Kim said the 5,000-ton vessel would bolster efforts to expand the operational range and preemptive strike capabilities of his nuclear-armed military. The 'multi-purpose' destroyer, designed to handle a variety of arms including nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, was touted as the first in a new class of heavily armed warships. Kim, who has framed the arms buildup as a response to the supposed danger posed by the US and its allies in Asia, said the destroyer would be handed over to the navy early next year before beginning active duty. Jo Chun Ryong, a secretary in the ruling Workers' party, claimed the ship was equipped with the 'most powerful weapons' and was built 'within 400-odd days'. Kim also took aim at efforts by the US and South Korea to expand joint military exercises and update their nuclear deterrence strategies, which he portrayed as preparations for war. He vowed to 'respond decisively to this geopolitical crisis and ongoing developments,' the Korean Central News Agency reported.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Kim Jong-un's commanders disappear from official picture amid speculation they have been executed over humiliating warship launch failure
Kim Jong-un has erased a top military commander and another senior official from state photos after the North Korean leader was reportedly left fuming over a failed warship launch. Navy Commander Admiral Kim Myong Sil and and shipyard boss Hong Kil Ho were airbrushed from images showing them with their leader back in March, sparking speculation that they may have been executed. Original snaps showed Admiral King and the shipyard boss gathered next to the North Korean leader as he inspected the ship. But now, in a move reminiscent of Joseph Stalin's tactics to erase his enemies from Soviet history, the officials have seemingly disappeared from the photos that were originally broadcast on state television. Founder of NK Leadership Watch Michael Madden told The Sun that the removal of a North Korean official from a state media image was a 'strong indication that the person in question has been executed.' Admiral Kim and Hong Kil Ho are understood to have been among the four officials arrested at the northern Chongjin shipyard after Kim Jong-un's guided-missile destroyer sank during its launch on May 21. The North Korean leader was left fuming after the disastrous launch last month, and he accused those responsible for 'severely damaging the [country's] dignity and pride.' Satellite images appeared to show the naval destroyer languishing on its side alongside the dock where the launch ceremony had been held. State media said the 5,000-ton ship, which had been due to enter service next year, is designed to carry weapons systems including near-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. Kim Jong Un, who wants bigger warships to deal with what he calls escalating US-led threats against his country, declared the mishap a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness' that 'could not be tolerated'. He ordered the destroyer be restored by June, but Admiral Kim and Hong Kil Ho were both noticeably absent from the relaunch ceremony. In April Kim unveiled the nuclear-capable naval destroyer that he says will bolster North Korea 's ability to defend itself in the face of perceived aggression from the US and its regional allies. The North Korean leader attended the warship's launch ceremony at the western port of Nampo with his teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae, according to state-run media. Ju Ae has been widely regarded by analysts as the likely successor to Kim since she was referred to as a 'great person of guidance' in an official report last year. Kim said the 5,000-ton vessel would bolster efforts to expand the operational range and preemptive strike capabilities of his nuclear-armed military. The 'multi-purpose' destroyer, designed to handle a variety of arms including nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, was touted as the first in a new class of heavily armed warships. This picture taken on June 12, 2025 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on June 13, 2025 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (2nd R) encouraging sailors at the launch ceremony for the destroyer 'Kang Kon' at the Rajin shipyard at the port near Rason in North Korea North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (C) and daughter Ju Ae (center L) boarding the destroyer 'Kang Kon' Kim, who has framed the arms buildup as a response to the supposed danger posed by the US and its allies in Asia, said the destroyer would be handed over to the navy early next year before beginning active duty. Jo Chun Ryong, a secretary in the ruling Workers' party, claimed the ship was equipped with the 'most powerful weapons' and was built 'within 400-odd days'. Kim also took aim at efforts by the US and South Korea to expand joint military exercises and update their nuclear deterrence strategies, which he portrayed as preparations for war. He vowed to 'respond decisively to this geopolitical crisis and ongoing developments,' the Korean Central News Agency reported.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Kim Jong-un's Stalinist purge laid bare as bungling commanders VANISH from official pics over warship crash humiliation
FURIOUS Kim Jong-un is feared to have begun executing navy commanders he deems responsible for the botched warship launch. Humiliated North Korean tyrant Kim has airbrushed state photos to remove bungling officials - making it seem like they never existed. 10 The iron-fist ruler was left red-faced after his 5,000-ton naval destroyer ended up on its side as he branded the disaster a "criminal act". Several officials at the northern Chongjin shipyard were arrested after the failure in May as Kim blasted their "absolute carelessness". But now the dictator appears to have started purging those he holds accountable after warning their mistake was "never to be forgiven". Navy Commander Admiral Kim Myong Sik and shipyard boss Hong Kil Ho have also been erased from pictures of an inspection in a move reminiscent of Joseph Stalin 's attempts to rewrite history. Soviet dictator Stalin - despite lack of photoshop in the 20th century - famously got his cronies to remove NKVD (later KGB) chief Nikolai Yezhov from a photo after he fell out of favour and was executed. Much like Yezhov's removal from an image beside Stalin, both Kim Myong Sik and Hong Kil Ho have been edited out of photos originally broadcast on state TV on March 8 after Kim viewed the vessel. Veteran North Korea watcher Michael Madden said it is likely they had both been executed - or are in line for that experience imminently. Madden, founder of NK Leadership Watch, told The Sun: "The airbrushing of a North Korean official from a state media image like this is a strong indication that the person in question has been executed. "The intention is to make it as if the person never existed." Kim Myong Sik and Hong Kil Ho were among at least four officials arrested at the shipyard after Kim's prized guided-missile destroyer was damaged as it capsized during its launch on May 21. Humiliated Kim Jong Un lauds FAILED 'sunken' warship in bizarre relaunch ceremony They have both been scrubbed from images of Kim inspecting the warship during construction, which have been republished this month. Madden added: "If Kim Myong Sik fell on his sword, he may have avoided a public execution and saved his family and close associates from imprisonment. "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. "Admiral Kim Myong Sik has been around as a top navy commander since KJU assumed leadership in 2011. "But he has had an inconsistent career--even before this he had already been dismissed twice as North Korea's top navy commander. The third time was not the charm for Admiral Kim. "This underscores that when North Korea has a high official executed that it is not for a one-off infraction. "Rather, the view is that the leader and the party have given you many chances to prove yourself. "By not redeeming yourself you are abusing the trust bestowed on you holding the high office. "This seems to be the case with Admiral Kim." 10 10 10 10 Both Kim Myong Sik and Hong Kil Ho were noticeably absent from the relaunch ceremony after being ousted from their respective posts. Despot Kim saw red when the initial launch embarrassed him on the world stage - accusing those responsible for 'severely damaging the [country's] dignity and pride'. Satellite images showed the warship on its side beside the launch dock, partially submerged at the stern with its bow resting on the harbour jetty. North Korea's implementation of the death penalty has long been condemned by human rights groups. The nation's hermetic state means the true number of executions isn't clear - but defectors have given gruesome accounts. In February, The Sun reported how dozens of party officials were punished for an embarrassing "drinking spree" that ended in a "major incident" at Ryonggang Hot Springs resort. Insiders believe this could have involved physical fights, abuse towards staff, cavorting with mistresses and trashing the premises. It was feared Kim could send his own officials to face the firing squad as a result after wiping the committee off the map. Last year, North Korea admitted carrying out public executions in a rare admission of its treatment of prisoners. Executions were ordered for 30 officials in September after Kim accused them of failing to prevent flooding and landslides that killed 1,000 people.
Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
N. Korea detains another official over warship launch accident
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called the mishap a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness'. (EPA Images pic) SEOUL : North Korea has detained another official over last week's failed launch of a warship, which damaged the 5,000-ton naval destroyer, state media reported today. Pyongyang announced 'a serious accident' at Wednesday's launch ceremony, which crushed sections of the bottom of the newly built destroyer. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called the mishap a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness'. Ri Hyong Son, vice department director of the munitions industry department of the party central committee, was summoned and detained yesterday, the Korean Central News Agency reported. He was 'greatly responsible for the occurrence of the serious accident', it said. Ri is the fourth person reportedly detained in connection with the accident, following the detention of three individuals over the weekend, including the chief engineer at the shipyard. KCNA reported on Friday that shipyard manager Hong Kil Ho had been summoned by law enforcement 'At the scene of the destroyer launch accident, the work for completely restoring the balance of the warship is being actively conducted,' KCNA said, adding that it is done 'according to its schedule'. South Korea's military said that Washington and Seoul's intelligence authorities had assessed that North Korea's 'side-launch attempt' of the ship failed, and the vessel was left listing in the water. KCNA, however, reported that an 'underwater and internal inspection of the warship confirmed that, unlike the initial announcement, there were no holes made at the warship's bottom', calling the extent of the damage 'not serious'. The South Korean military estimated that based on its size and scale, the newly built warship is similarly equipped to the 5,000-ton destroyer-class vessel Choe Hyon, which North Korea unveiled last month. Pyongyang has said the Choe Hyon is equipped with the 'most powerful weapons', and that it would 'enter into operation early next year'. Seoul's military has said the Choe Hyon could have been developed with Russian help, possibly in exchange for Pyongyang deploying thousands of troops to help Moscow fight Ukraine.
Saudi Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
North Korea detains shipyard officials after warship launch accident damages 5,000-tonne destroyer
SEOUL — North Korea has detained three senior officials following an accident during the launch of a new 5,000-tonne warship, which state media described as the result of 'absolute carelessness' and 'irresponsibility.' According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the destroyer's hull was damaged during Wednesday's launch ceremony at the northern Chongjin shipyard. The vessel tipped off balance as parts of its bottom were crushed while entering the water. Those detained include the shipyard's chief engineer, the head of construction, and an administrative manager. KCNA reported that they are 'responsible for the accident' and are now under investigation. Additionally, shipyard manager Hong Kil Ho was summoned by law enforcement images showed the vessel lying on its side, partially on land, and covered with large blue tarpaulins. While KCNA claimed the damage was limited — reporting only scratches to the hull and seawater entering the stern — earlier speculation had pointed to more extensive structural Korean leader Kim Jong Un described the incident as a 'criminal act' and said those involved would be held accountable at a plenary meeting scheduled for next month.'Unscientific empiricism and irresponsibility' were to blame, he said, warning of strict acknowledgment of such accidents is rare in North Korea, which tightly controls state regime has occasionally disclosed mishaps in the past, but typically downplays their launch failure comes just weeks after Kim oversaw the unveiling of another 5,000-tonne destroyer, the Choe Hyon, which he described as a 'breakthrough' in modernizing the country's naval forces. That vessel was expected to enter service early next year. — BBC
