North Korean leader Kim Jong Un publicly lambasted officials after a newly built destroyer tipped over during its launch ceremony, calling the embarrassing mishap a “criminal act” in a rare admission of failure from the secretive regime.
At a Glance
- A 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer suffered catastrophic damage during its launch ceremony when it became stuck on its launching sled and tipped over
- Kim Jong Un described the incident as a “criminal act caused by pure carelessness” and blamed “inexperienced command and operational carelessness”
- The accident occurred at the Cheongjin shipyard using an outdated side-launch technique no longer employed by South Korea
- Those responsible will face consequences at a Party Central Committee meeting next month
- The destroyer is suspected to have been developed with Russian assistance, potentially in exchange for North Korean troops supporting Russia in Ukraine
Catastrophic Launch Failure Embarrasses Regime
In an unusual acknowledgment of incompetence, North Korean state media reported a “serious accident” during the launch of a new warship at the Cheongjin shipyard in northeastern North Korea. The 5,000-ton destroyer, the second of its class following the Choe Hyon unveiled in April, suffered extensive damage when it became stuck on its transport cradle and tipped over during what should have been a celebrated launch ceremony attended by Kim Jong Un himself.
The vessel reportedly experienced a catastrophic balance failure attributed to an obsolete side-launch technique. South Korean military officials confirmed the disaster, noting that the destroyer appeared to have partially capsized during the failed launch. The accident damaged the ship’s bottom and caused significant structural devastation, marking a major setback to North Korea’s naval ambitions and publicly embarrassing the regime’s military leadership.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said a "serious accident" affecting the launch of the country's newest warship on Wednesday "was a criminal act caused by pure carelessness," the country's state media reported. https://t.co/izoCNheHFg
— ABC News (@ABC) May 22, 2025
Kim Jong Un’s Fury Unleashed
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un did not hide his anger over the incident, publicly berating officials for their incompetence. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim made a “stern assessment” of the situation, declaring it “a serious accident that could not have happened, could not be tolerated, and was a criminal act caused by pure carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.”
“North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said a ‘serious accident’ affecting the launch of the country’s newest warship on Wednesday ‘was a criminal act caused by pure carelessness,'”, said Kim Jong Un.
Such public admissions of failure are exceedingly rare in North Korea, where the ruling Kim family is revered and portrayed as infallible. Kim specifically warned several government institutions, including the Department of Munitions Industry and the Central Ship Design Institute. He ordered the damaged warship to be repaired before the party’s central committee plenary meeting in June, emphasizing the political significance of the vessel to his regime’s military ambitions.
https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1925347544218943605
Russian Connections and Military Implications
Defense analysts point to several indicators suggesting Russian involvement in the destroyer’s development. The launch site at Chongjin is notably close to Russia’s Vladivostok port, and the timing coincides with increased military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. In April, North Korea confirmed sending troops to Russia to support operations in Ukraine, and the two nations are currently building their first road bridge connection.
“It’s also likely that the projected timeline for the vessel — including when assembly would be completed and the ship launched — was shared with the Russian side.”, said Ahn Chan-il.
Military experts believe the destroyer would have been equipped with advanced weaponry similar to the first Choe Hyon class vessel, potentially including short-range tactical missiles with nuclear capabilities. The failed launch represents a significant setback for Kim Jong Un’s stated goal of building a blue-water naval fleet capable of operating in open oceans. Despite this embarrassment, North Korea demonstrated its continued military focus by launching multiple cruise missiles toward the East Sea shortly after the accident.
Consequences and Regional Tensions
Those responsible for the failed launch will face consequences at a Party Central Committee meeting scheduled for next month. This public acknowledgment of failure and promised accountability represents an unusual move for the secretive regime, which typically portrays its military development as flawless. The incident comes amid North Korea’s continued efforts to enhance its naval capabilities, including developing nuclear-powered submarines and warships.
The disaster occurs against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, with North Korea continuing to launch ballistic missiles in violation of UN sanctions while declaring itself an “irreversible” nuclear weapons state. In response, the United States and South Korea have increased joint military exercises and strategic asset deployments in the region. The embarrassing warship launch failure exposes significant gaps in North Korea’s military capabilities, despite the regime’s aggressive posturing on the world stage.
