North Korean leader Kim Jong Un condemned the terrible accident in the launching of the new warship, calling it a dishonour to the nation.
Wednesday witnessed a disastrous mishap occurring during the launching of a 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer at the northeastern port of Chongjin. The ship met with a major failure in the very presence of Leader Kim Jong Un, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
KCNA reported that Kim was furious over the incident, labeling it a “criminal act” rooted in “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.” He added that the accident was intolerable and had damaged the nation’s dignity.
Warship Launch Ends in Structural Failure
The report explained how the destroyer encountered balance problems at the launch, which caused the ship’s underwater section to sustain damage. The report failed to detail the overall loss experienced and whether any casualties resulted from the incident.
The South Korean military verified that the water vessel had overturned during its launch procedure. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-jun reported that intelligence agents from Seoul and Washington had been observing the event beforehand.
South Korean military sources stated that the destroyer’s launch incident coincided with North Korea’s release of multiple cruise missiles from a southern regional area near the port. The report contained no additional information on the missile operations.
Kim Orders Urgent Repairs Before Party Meeting
The failed launch was especially embarrassing for Pyongyang, as it occurred just weeks ahead of a key Workers’ Party meeting in June. Kim ordered that the warship be restored immediately, saying the task was not just a technical priority but a political imperative tied to national pride.
“This is not merely a practical issue,” Kim said, according to KCNA. “It is a political issue directly related to the authority of the state.”
The incident marks the second publicized launch of a destroyer by North Korea this year. In April, Kim also attended the launch of a similar-sized warship on the country’s west coast at Nampho. North Korea’s new 5,000-ton destroyers are now its largest warships, central to Kim’s plan to bolster the navy with missile-capable vessels.
Pyongyang’s Unusual Transparency
North Korea’s swift admission of the accident is rare, given the country’s typical secrecy around failures. But analysts believe this reflects Kim’s preferred leadership style.
“Kim Jong Un tends to disclose major setbacks quickly to prevent rumors and use the moment to strengthen control over officials,” said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst at the Sejong Institute in Seoul. “It’s his way of reinforcing discipline rather than allowing speculation to spread.”
This approach has also been used in the past following rocket and satellite launch failures, often with state media emphasizing the role of the Workers’ Party in correcting errors and moving forward.
A Strategic Pivot
The launch failure is a blow to Kim’s campaign to modernize North Korea’s military, particularly its navy. The new warships are designed to carry and launch dozens of missiles, expanding Pyongyang’s offensive reach at sea.
Still, the regime remains committed to restoring the damaged vessel ahead of June’s party congress, a clear indication that the ship has symbolic as well as strategic value.
Whether North Korea will adjust its launch practices or redesign future ships remains to be seen. For now, Kim has made it clear that accountability will be enforced, and the project must be completed without delay.
