North Korea has detained three senior shipyard officials after a failed launch of a large naval destroyer resulted in damage to the vessel and embarrassment for the regime.
The 5,000-ton warship, part of the country’s Choe Hyon-class modernization effort, was being christened at the Chongjin Shipyard when it unexpectedly tipped to one side and partially submerged. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, who was reportedly present at the ceremony, condemned the incident as a severe failure and labeled it a result of incompetence and negligence.
Among those arrested are the shipyard’s chief engineer, the head of hull construction, and the deputy administrative manager. The shipyard’s director has also been summoned for questioning but has not been formally charged.
Satellite images taken shortly after the incident showed the vessel tilted in the water, with parts of it covered by tarps. Damage assessments suggest the bottom of the hull may have been crushed, with water seeping in at the rear. Though state media claimed only minor damage, external analysts remain doubtful of the regime’s ability to carry out swift repairs.
Despite the setback, Kim has reportedly ordered the warship restored in time for a major political gathering in June. The aggressive timeline has drawn skepticism from observers familiar with North Korea’s naval engineering limitations.
This high-profile failure highlights the ongoing difficulties Pyongyang faces in developing its military capabilities under international sanctions and internal pressure, and reflects the regime’s zero-tolerance approach to public errors within its ranks.