North Korea scrubs navy commander from photos in sign of widening warship purge



News North Korea scrubs navy commander from photos in sign of widening warship purge Deletion of commander and shipyard manager from state media appears linked to failed destroyer launch last month Colin Zwirko June 13, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON State media showed photos again Friday that were previously published in March, this time deleting two key figures in a sign of their removal from leadership positions \| Images: KCTV (March 8 (left) and June 13 (right), 2025), edited by NK News North Korea has deleted the country’s top navy commander and the manager of the shipyard where a warship launch disaster occurred from images in state media, according to NK News analysis, suggesting purges related to the failed launch have been wider than previously reported. During coverage Friday afternoon of the destroyer’s relaunch ceremony, Korean Central Television (KCTV) showed still images of leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the warship under construction, but with two key figures deleted. The first appears to be Chongjin Shipyard manager Hong Kil Ho. State media suggested he was “clearly responsible for the accident” and said © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

News

North Korea scrubs navy commander from photos in sign of widening warship purge

Deletion of commander and shipyard manager from state media appears linked to failed destroyer launch last month

Colin Zwirko June 13, 2025

North Korea scrubs navy commander from photos in sign of widening warship purge

State media showed photos again Friday that were previously published in March, this time deleting two key figures in a sign of their removal from leadership positions | Images: KCTV (March 8 (left) and June 13 (right), 2025), edited by NK News

North Korea has deleted the country’s top navy commander and the manager of the shipyard where a warship launch disaster occurred from images in state media, according to NK News analysis, suggesting purges related to the failed launch have been wider than previously reported.

During coverage Friday afternoon of the destroyer’s relaunch ceremony, Korean Central Television (KCTV) showed still images of leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the warship under construction, but with two key figures deleted.

The first appears to be Chongjin Shipyard manager Hong Kil Ho. State media suggested he was “clearly responsible for the accident” and said

North Korea scrubs navy commander from photos in sign of widening warship purge

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by

One more step!

Error!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Colin Zwirko

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –