Kim Jong Un erases two officials from months-old state photos, prompting fears they were executed over botched warship launch: report
North Korea's despotic ruler Kim Jong Un appeared to have a top navy commander and another senior official erased from months-old official state photos following the nation's high-profile failed ship launch — fueling speculation that they were executed, according to a report.
Admr. Kim Myong Sil and Hong Kil Ho, who operate Chongjin Shipyard, were expunged from the North Korean photographic record on orders of Kim — who blames them for the hermit kingdom's inability to launch a naval destroyer last month, NK News reported.
3 The original image released by North Korean state media that showed Admr. Myong Sil and Hong Kil Ho standing an arm's distance from hermit kingdom leader Kim Jong Un.
KCTV
The two North Korean honchos were originally pictured on the left side of the photo released by North Korean state media, near Kim.
In the edited photos released by North Korean state media, there is now a conspicuously empty space where Myong Sil and Kil Ho once stood.
The move was reminiscent of the Soviet Union's brutal dictator Joseph Stalin, who made common practice of erasing political adversaries from notable pics, including the infamously overt erasure of Nikolai Yezhov.
3 In freshly edited photos released by North Korean state media, Myong Sil and Kil Ho are absent.
KCTV
Kil Ho was blamed by the portly dictator and state media for the catastrophic failure to launch a 5,000-ton naval destroyer into the Sea of Japan on May 21.
The warship became unbalanced as it was lowered into the water at the port of Chongjin, causing it to slide into the water — crushing and wrecking parts of the hull and leaving the bow stuck on the shipway, Korean Central News Agency reported at the time.
Several officials were arrested at the shipyard directly after the shameful display, with experts believing Ho was one of at least four who faced repercussions, The Sun reported, citing experts.
3 The 5,000-ton naval destroyer slid into the water and caused major hull damage on May 21, but was successfully relaunched on Saturday.
DigitalGlobe/Getty Images
Admr. Sil has been a top navy commander in the isolated nation since Kim took power in 2011 —- but that is not likely to have saved him from the tyrant's bloodlust.
'If Kim Myong Sik fell on his sword, he may have avoided a public execution and saved his family and close associates from imprisonment,' Michael Madden, founder of NK Leadership Watch, told The Sun.
'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,' Madden added.
North Korea successfully launched the massive destroyer on Saturday in what state media described as 'convincing proof of the rapid transformation of [the North Korean] Navy.'
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Japan and South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite lingering tension and political uncertainty
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3 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Japan and South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite lingering tension and political uncertainty
TOKYO (AP) — Japan and South Korea are marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbors, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancor linked to Japan's brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations — each a strong ally of the United States — now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties. Here's a look at one of Northeast Asia's most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press. The view from Seoul, by Kim Tong-hyung South Korea's new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung , is determined to break sharply from the policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol , who now faces a trial on charges of leading an insurrection over his imposition of martial law in December. Relations with Japan, however, are one area where Lee, who describes himself as a pragmatist in foreign policy, may find himself cautiously building on Yoon's approach. Before his removal from office in April, the conservative former president tried to repair relations with Japan. Yoon wanted to also tighten the countries' three-way security cooperation with Washington to counter North Korean nuclear threats. In 2023, Yoon announced a South Korea-funded compensation plan for colonial-era forced laborers. That decision caused a strong backlash from victims and their supporters, who had demanded direct payments from Japanese companies and a fresh apology from Tokyo. Yoon's outreach boosted tourism and business ties, but there's still lingering resentment in South Korea that Japan failed to reciprocate Seoul's diplomatic concession by addressing historical grievances more sincerely. 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The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
Japan and South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite lingering tension and political uncertainty
TOKYO (AP) — Japan and South Korea are marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbors, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancor linked to Japan's brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations — each a strong ally of the United States — now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties. Here's a look at one of Northeast Asia's most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press. South Korea's new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, is determined to break sharply from the policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces a trial on charges of leading an insurrection over his imposition of martial law in December. Relations with Japan, however, are one area where Lee, who describes himself as a pragmatist in foreign policy, may find himself cautiously building on Yoon's approach. Before his removal from office in April, the conservative former president tried to repair relations with Japan. Yoon wanted to also tighten the countries' three-way security cooperation with Washington to counter North Korean nuclear threats. In 2023, Yoon announced a South Korea-funded compensation plan for colonial-era forced laborers. That decision caused a strong backlash from victims and their supporters, who had demanded direct payments from Japanese companies and a fresh apology from Tokyo. Yoon's outreach boosted tourism and business ties, but there's still lingering resentment in South Korea that Japan failed to reciprocate Seoul's diplomatic concession by addressing historical grievances more sincerely. 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South Korea's Hankyoreh newspaper in an editorial this week called for South Korea and Japan to 'collaborate immediately' on a joint response to Trump's policies, arguing that the proposed U.S. tariffs on automobiles pose similar threats to both countries' trade-dependent economies. Ishiba, eager to improve ties with Seoul, has acknowledged Japan's wartime aggression and has shown more empathy to Asian victims than his recent predecessors. His first encounter with Lee seemed positive, despite worries in Japan about South Korea's stance under a liberal leader known for attacks on Japan's wartime past. Lee, in that meeting with Ishiba at the G7, likened the two countries to 'neighbors sharing the same front yard' and called for building a future-oriented relationship that moves beyond their 'small differences and disagreements.' Ishiba and Lee agreed to closely communicate and to cooperate on a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear and missile development. 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Cooperation between the two sides is 'more essential than ever' to overcome their shared problems such as worsening regional security and Trump's tariffs that have shaken free trade systems, Japan's largest-circulation newspaper Yomiuri said in a recent editorial. At a 60th anniversary reception in Tokyo, Ishiba said that he sees 'a bright future' in the relationship. He expressed hope also for cooperation in 'common challenges' such as low birth rates and declining populations. ___ Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea.
