North Korea reportedly edited out a senior commander from official images following the failed launch of a new warship, revealing the regime’s extreme approach to controlling public perception and shielding military failures from scrutiny.
At a Glance
- State media removed a naval commander from launch photos after a destroyer capsized on May 21.
- Kim Jong Un condemned the failure as a “criminal act” of negligence.
- Four officials were arrested, including engineers and launch crew.
- Satellite images show the ship was obscured by tarps and surrounded by balloons.
- A second launch took place on June 12, reportedly to restore Kim’s confidence in naval progress.
Commander Disappears After Launch Debacle
As reported by Newsweek, North Korea’s state-run media erased a high-ranking officer from public images after the failed side-launch of the “Kang Kon” destroyer. The warship capsized during its May 21 debut, leading Kim Jong Un to describe the incident as an act of “sheer carelessness.” The airbrushing was widely interpreted as a symbolic purge.
Reports indicate that four individuals, including engineers and navy staff, were detained for their roles. This continues North Korea’s longstanding practice of punishing perceived incompetence with swift, often public, consequences.
Satellite Images Reveal Concealment
Open-source researchers observed the warship being covered with blue tarps and encircled by balloons possibly used to obstruct satellite views. The concealment effort lasted weeks as authorities worked to refloat and re-launch the vessel. A second launch was staged on June 12 with Kim in attendance, aimed at reasserting military progress.
Watch a report: NK Airbrushes Commander After Warship Fail.
Public Image vs. Military Reality
The editing of official imagery and the rapid orchestration of a follow-up event point to Pyongyang’s intense focus on narrative control. Analysts warn that while North Korea pushes for naval modernization, its technical capacity remains limited—especially when high-profile assets fail during key propaganda moments.
This episode serves as another reminder of the opacity inside the DPRK’s military program—and how failure, even at sea, is treated as both a strategic vulnerability and a propaganda crisis.
