[Image: Global Insight / Facebook]
Somebody is about to meet the business end of a cannon after a ceremony to welcome a new addition to North Korea’s naval fleet ended in embarrassment following a major accident during the ship’s launch.
Describing it as a “criminal act”, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could only stand and watch as a 5,000-tonne destroyer appeared to go off balance during its launch in the eastern port city of Chongjin on Wednesday.
The tipping caused massive damage to sections of the hull, and Kim has now ordered the ship to be restored before a key meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party next month. But you can bet the fallout will not stop at a tongue-lashing.
Saying that the failed launch has “brought the dignity and self-respect of our state to a collapse”, the golden boy gave a “stern assessment”, calling the incident a “serious accident and criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility … and could not be tolerated.”
Blaming “inexperienced command and operational carelessness” during the launch, the KCNA news agency said the incident left “some sections of the warship’s bottom crushed”. Officials found responsible for the debacle would be “dealt with at the plenary meeting of the party central committee” in June, Kim said.
We all know what that means. Somebody is getting fired.
Chongjin Shipyard North Korea sinking of the newest Choe Hyon-class of guided missile destroyers (DDGHM) (Second ship in class currently unnamed likely Hull Number 52)
Original Statement From KCNA states
“The launching ceremony for a newly built 5,000-ton destroyer was held… pic.twitter.com/oRWf8OYZGa
— Intelschizo (@Schizointel) May 22, 2025
In a report issued last week on preparations for the launch, US-based 38 North said it appeared the ship would be side-launched from the quay, a method not previously observed in North Korea. “The use of this launch method could be one of necessity, as the quay where the ship is being built does not have an incline,” the 38 North report said.
“Due to immature command and carelessness in operation during the launching process, the parallel movement of the bogies (drydock sleds) could not be guaranteed, which resulted in the launching sled in the stern being released first and becoming stranded, the ship’s balance being destroyed by a dent in the bottom of some sections, and a serious accident occurring in which the bow section could not be released from the stern”
South Korea’s military said the vessel was currently lying on its side in the water.
The ship was the second 5,000-tonne destroyer-class vessel – the biggest in the North Korean fleet – to have been launched in recent weeks. State media ran images of Kim attending a ceremony at the earlier launch with his daughter Ju Ae, considered by many experts to be his likely successor.
[Source: Guardian]
