On Monday, it was revealed that North Korea had removed images of a Blue House replica from recent photos of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un’s military training inspection. The replica was originally constructed for infiltration drills targeting the South Korean presidential complex.
NK News, a U.S.-based outlet focusing on North Korean affairs, analyzed images from Kim’s August visit to the Korean People’s Army Unit 525. Their findings suggest that a model of the Blue House, previously situated at the northern end of the training grounds, had been digitally erased from the photographs.
This particular training site gained notoriety in November 2016 when Kim observed special operations troops from Unit 525 (under the General Staff Operations Bureau) during exercises. The facility notably features a mock-up of the Blue House, used by special forces for infiltration operation rehearsals.
Satellite imagery captured by U.S. commercial space firm Planet Labs in September, following Kim’s visit, confirms that the Blue House replica remains physically present at the training site.
Analysts offer various explanations for North Korea’s decision to edit out the Blue House model. One theory posits that, as the Blue House symbolizes South Korea, the North Korean regime—which currently characterizes inter-Korean relations as those between hostile states—aims to prevent its citizens from viewing imagery that might evoke thoughts of South Korea. Another interpretation suggests that Pyongyang deems it inappropriate to include South Korean elements in photographs featuring the Supreme Leader.
NK News further alleges evidence of image manipulation in recent photos of Kim inspecting a factory producing Hwasong-series short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) near Hamhung.
Close examination of two photos displayed on the factory’s interior walls reveals inconsistencies, suggesting that these images may have been digitally inserted to create the appearance of being physically present in the facility.
Some experts speculate that North Korea may be attempting to conceal the factory’s location by obscuring distinctive window frame designs. This tactic is likely employed to counter the efforts of intelligence analysts and academics who often compare North Korean media imagery with satellite photos to identify missile bases and other strategic facilities.
Moreover, discrepancies have emerged regarding the date of Kim’s missile factory inspection. While North Korean state media reported the visit occurred on August 31, the Rodong Sinmun newspaper visible in the released photos is dated August 26, indicating potential manipulation of the timeline.
