North Korea’s second naval destroyer faced damage this week during a problematic launch, as reported by state media. This incident has led to some embarrassment for Kim Jong Un, who is focused on modernizing the country’s naval capabilities.
North Korea isn’t usually one to admit military failures, but this brief acknowledgment indicates that Kim is earnest about advancing his naval program, perhaps feeling assured he can eventually meet those objectives.
During the launch event at Chongjin’s northeast port, the newly constructed 5,000-ton destroyer became unstable, creating a hole in its hull after the transport cradle slipped and became stuck.
Details surrounding the cause of the incident, its extent, or whether anyone was injured remain unclear, as noted by KCNA.
Kim, who was present at the ceremony, criticized military officials, scientists, and shipyard workers for “serious accidents and criminal acts caused by absolute carelessness.” He has called for a Workers’ Party meeting in late June to address these “irresponsible errors.”
According to Moon Kyung-sik, a naval expert at Hany University in Seoul, the incident is indeed shameful. Yet, he suggests that North Korea’s decision to disclose it may be part of a strategy to convey that it’s accelerating the modernization of its navy, signaling confidence in its ability to build a capable naval force.
Moon also pointed out that the likely mishap could stem from North Korean workers being inexperienced with such large warships, and perhaps rushing the launch process.
The damaged vessel is thought to belong to the same class as the first destroyer unveiled on April 25. Analysts regard it as the largest and most advanced ship in North Korea’s fleet so far.
Kim has dubbed the first ship, named Cho Ha-ion after a notable Korean guerrilla fighter during the Japanese colonial era, an important asset for enhancing military operations and nuclear capabilities.
State media indicated that the ships are designed to accommodate various weapons systems, such as aviation and ship weaponry, along with ballistic and cruise missiles.
Kim expressed that the ship should enter active service early next year, and he oversaw missile testing from the warship.
Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, suggested that the damaged ship probably had similar systems and remained inoperable at sea.
This report follows recent satellite images revealing that North Korea is constructing a second destroyer at the Jeongjin shipyard.
A think tank website indicated that satellite imagery from May 12 confirmed that the second Cho Ha-ion class guided missile destroyer is indeed under construction.
A report from the website 38 North noted that the destroyers being built at Chongjin shipyards are being set up for sideways launching from the quay, unlike previous destroyers that were launched from the western shipyard using floating dry docks.
According to South Korean officials, it’s believed that the Cho Ha-ion destroyers may have been developed with Russian assistance, as military ties between the two nations are strengthening.
Even though North Korea’s navy is generally viewed as weaker than South Korea’s, experts still see the destroyers as a significant security concern.
Kim has characterized the accumulation of weaponry as a response to perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies, particularly in light of their increasing military exercises amid rising tensions over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
He claims that acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine is his next pivotal step to bolster naval strength.
Interestingly, just hours after the report on the damaged destroyer, North Korea launched several cruise missiles from an area near Songdok. This aligns with a broader trend of repeated weapons testing activities in recent years, though South Korea’s military has yet to confirm the missiles’ range.
