A major naval launch in North Korea ended in disaster as a new 5,000-ton warship capsized during its debut ceremony in Chongjin, prompting leader Kim Jong Un to condemn the incident as a “criminal act” caused by gross negligence and a lack of scientific oversight.
The launch went awry when the rear of the massive destroyer slid prematurely into the water while the bow remained lodged on land, twisting the vessel and causing substantial structural damage. The event unfolded in front of Kim himself, who reportedly issued immediate orders to repair the warship ahead of a key government assembly in June.
The vessel, part of North Korea’s Choe Hyon-class fleet, was expected to mark a leap forward in the regime’s efforts to modernize its naval power with high-tech weaponry. Instead, satellite images later confirmed the ship resting on its side in shallow waters—an embarrassing blow to Pyongyang’s military ambitions.
Kim’s unusually harsh public criticism signals increased pressure on North Korea’s defense sector and may point to growing frustration within the regime over repeated technical failures under intense global scrutiny and economic sanctions.
Despite the setback, Kim reaffirmed his commitment to naval modernization, demanding accountability and a full reassessment of the military’s development protocols.