North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has condemned a major mishap during the launch of a new 5,000-ton warship, calling the incident a “serious accident” and a “criminal act” that brought shame to the country.
According to state-run media, the destroyer tipped over during its unveiling on Thursday at a shipyard in Chongjin, a port city on North Korea’s eastern coast. The bottom of the vessel was reportedly crushed, causing it to lose balance. While there were no official reports of casualties or injuries, the extent of the structural damage has not been fully revealed.
Kim, who personally attended the launch ceremony, reacted with fury, blaming the failure on “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.” He has ordered those responsible for the ship’s design and construction to be held accountable and demanded that the vessel be restored ahead of a major ruling Workers’ Party meeting in June.
“This accident severely damaged the dignity and pride of our nation in an instant,” Kim was quoted as saying by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). He pledged that the “irresponsible errors” would be addressed at next month’s plenary session, though it remains unclear what consequences the individuals involved might face.
North Korea, known for its strict secrecy and rarely admitting to internal failures, has begun to acknowledge technical setbacks with slightly more openness in recent years. In November, Pyongyang admitted to the mid-air explosion of a military satellite, calling it the “gravest failure” and blaming inadequate preparation by officials. A separate failed satellite launch in August 2023 was described as a minor issue.
Thursday’s incident follows North Korea’s unveiling of another 5,000-ton destroyer last month on the country’s west coast, which Kim hailed as a major achievement in modernising the nation’s naval power. The warship was said to be capable of carrying more than 70 missiles and was expected to be deployed in early 2026.
The failed launch marks a significant setback for Kim’s broader military ambitions. While the country continues to prioritise the development of advanced naval and missile capabilities, this latest embarrassment may highlight deeper issues in North Korea’s technical capacity and production quality, especially as international sanctions and isolation continue to strain the regime.
Kim has framed his naval expansion as essential to counter perceived threats from the United States and its allies, but the botched launch has raised questions about the readiness of North Korea’s military infrastructure and leadership.
