New satellite images have revealed significant damage to a North Korean warship following an accident at a shipyard in the eastern port city of Chongjin, an incident reportedly witnessed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The images, which surfaced on Friday, show the vessel lying on its side, partially on land and covered with large blue tarpaulins — a striking visual that has offered rare insight into a domestic mishap in the secretive country. This marks the first time such an accident has been visually confirmed through satellite technology in North Korea.
According to state media, an official investigation is underway into what Kim Jong Un labeled a “criminal act.” North Korea’s official news agency, KCNA, acknowledged the incident but sought to downplay its severity, describing the damage as “not serious.” The report claimed the warship’s hull was scratched on the starboard side and that seawater had entered the stern section through the rescue channel, but denied any structural breach in the ship’s bottom.
While North Korea did not report any casualties, details remain scarce and independent verification is impossible given the state’s strict control over information. The manager of the shipyard, Hong Kil Ho, has reportedly been detained by law enforcement for questioning, KCNA said.
Restoration of the warship is expected to take approximately 10 days, according to North Korean officials. However, Kim expressed clear frustration over the incident, blaming “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism” for the mishap. He warned that those responsible would face consequences, with disciplinary action expected to be discussed at a plenary meeting next month. The nature of such punishment remains unknown, though North Korea is widely criticized for its poor human rights record and harsh internal penalties.
The accident comes just weeks after the regime showcased a new 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, which Kim hailed as a “breakthrough” in the country’s naval modernization. That warship is expected to be deployed early next year, part of a broader effort to strengthen North Korea’s maritime capabilities amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Public acknowledgment of industrial accidents within North Korea is extremely rare. While the regime has admitted to a handful of similar incidents in the past, most mishaps are concealed from both domestic and international audiences.
The incident could represent a setback for Kim’s efforts to project strength through military advancement, particularly in the naval sector, which he has emphasized as a key pillar of North Korea’s defense strategy.
