North Korea’s latest warship was severely damaged during a launch ceremony on Wednesday, with the vessel lying on its side in the water and parts of the hull crushed. The incident has brought shame to the nation’s prestige, according to leader Kim Jong Un, who vowed to punish those found responsible.
The accident occurred when a malfunction in the launch mechanism caused the stern of the ship to slide prematurely into the water, crushing parts of the hull. The bow was left stranded on the shipway.
State media reported that the incident has raised questions about North Korea’s ability to scale its navy and cast doubt on the country’s military modernization efforts. Western defense analysts noted that the damaged vessel is thought to be equipped like North Korea’s first newly constructed destroyer, the Choe Hyon, which was unveiled in April.
The launch failure marks a setback for what analysts have viewed as North Korea’s most ambitious naval modernization effort in decades. The ship was meant to be the second major navy surface vessel revealed by the country, but its damaged state has raised concerns about its functionality and the feasibility of repairs.
Kim Jong Un called the incident “a criminal act” and blamed it on “absolute carelessness” and “irresponsibility” by multiple state institutions. He ordered the destroyer to be restored before a late June plenary session of the ruling Workers’ Party, calling the matter one of national honor.
However, experts say that meeting Kim’s deadline for repairs is nearly impossible due to North Korea’s lack of infrastructure, including dry docks. Restoration could take over four to five months, and hasty repairs could cause more problems down the line.
The incident has sparked concerns about the country’s military capabilities and its ability to keep up with modernization efforts. It remains to be seen how North Korea will address this setback and what measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/22/asia/north-korea-destroyer-accident-intl-hnk-ml