North Korea’s new destroyer damaged during unsuccessful launch, angering Kim Jong Un

Failed Launch of North Korean Destroyer

This week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was left somewhat embarrassed during the launch of a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer at the port of Chongjin. The event, which aimed to showcase North Korea’s military advancements, didn’t go as planned; the ship failed to launch properly and ended up stuck, according to state media reports.

It seems the ship encountered issues when the flat car couldn’t move correctly, leading to an imbalance that damaged part of the vessel’s bottom. Essentially, while the stern attempted to leave the ramp, it slid down the launchway but got stuck.

Although there hasn’t been much detail about the damage, it remains unclear if there were any injuries involved. North Korea hasn’t shared photos from the scene, but satellite images released by South Korea depicted the destroyer submerged after the failed launch.

During the ceremony on Wednesday, Kim criticized military officials, scientists, and shipyard workers for what he described as “serious accidents and criminal acts” resulting from severe carelessness and a lack of scientific foresight. He indicated that mistakes by those in charge must be addressed at an upcoming meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party scheduled for late June.

Kim emphasized that restoring the destroyer was critical for the nation’s reputation and insisted that recovery efforts must be complete, no exceptions.

Naval expert Moon Kyung-sik mentioned that despite this setback, North Korea likely wants to publicize the incident as a way to show determination in modernizing its naval forces. He expressed optimism that they would ultimately succeed in building it, adding that the mishap might stem from workers being unaccustomed to handling such a large warship.

The failed launch comes just a month after Kim had celebrated the successful launch of another 5,000-ton destroyer from Nampo on the west coast of North Korea. This ship also reportedly utilized Russian technology and was designed to carry advanced weapon systems, including nuclear-responsive ballistics and cruise missiles.

In a recent report from the North Korea-focused 38 North website, it assessed that the destroyer appeared ready for release despite the current troubles. The report noted that the other ship had been launched from a floating dry dock, unlike this latest attempt.

Meanwhile, as North Korea continues to bolster its military capabilities in response to perceived threats from the U.S. and South Korea, it was disclosed that between 11,000 and 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to assist Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, marking the country’s first significant military involvement since the Korean War.