Kim Jong-un removes commanders from images after warship disaster

In North Korea, turmoil erupted following a failed warship launch that occurred in May 2025. The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, was reportedly furious after the guided-missile destroyer sank during its launch ceremony. This disastrous incident raised significant concerns regarding the military’s operational capabilities and the embarrassment it caused for the regime. Following the launch, Kim reportedly arrested four officials involved in the project, including Navy Commander Admiral Kim Myong Sil and shipyard boss Hong Kil Ho. State media later revealed that these officials had been airbrushed from public photographs featuring Kim, a move reminiscent of historical purges seen in regimes like that of Joseph Stalin, leading many to speculate about their potential execution. The original photographs broadcasted on state television showed the officials present with Kim during the ship’s inspection, but they have since been controversially removed, thereby heightening uncertainties about their fate and the regime's internal dynamics. Kim Jong-un’s actions reflect his intolerance for failure in military affairs as he seeks to bolster North Korea's defenses against perceived foreign threats, particularly from the United States and its allies. The North Korean leader emphasized the need for greater military capability, particularly with the envisioned return of the destroyer in the near future, indicating both urgency and the high stakes involved in the ongoing arms race. The regime’s efforts to enhance naval power and avert further military mishaps may be a component of its broader strategies to maintain control and project strength on the international stage.