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Published on 22/05/2025 - 11:07 GMT+2
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North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has strongly criticised officials for the damage caused to a new naval destroyer during a failed launch ceremony this week, describing the incident as a “criminal act”.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim, who attended the event on Wednesday in the northeastern port of Chongjin, also blamed scientists and shipyard operators for the “serious accident”.
During its launch, the new 5,000-tonne ship lost its balance and the tipping caused parts of the vessel’s hull to become damaged, according to the KCNA.
It remains unclear how severe the damage is or whether anyone was injured in the accident.
Kim said the failed launch was the result of “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism”.
The North Korean leader vowed to address the “irresponsible errors” at a ruling Workers’ Party meeting in late June.
A spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff suggested on Thursday that the damaged vessel was still toppled over in the sea.
The debacle is an embarrassment for Kim as he attempts to modernise his naval forces.
Pyongyang rarely acknowledges military-related setbacks, but commentators say the disclosure about the failed launch indicates that Kim is serious about his naval advancement programme.
“It's a shameful thing. But the reason why North Korea disclosed the incident is it wants to show it's speeding up the modernisation of its navy forces and expresses its confidence that it can eventually build” a larger navy, said Moon Keun-sik, a navy expert at Seoul's Hanyang University.
Moon said the accident may have occurred because North Korean workers were unfamiliar with such a large warship and were in a rush to launch it.
North Korea-focused 38 North website reported last week that the ship was going to be launched sideways from the quay in Chongjin, a method rarely used in the country.
The launch came soon after the unveiling of the country’s first naval destroyer — named the Choe Hyon — on 25 April.
State media claimed the ship could handle a number of weapons systems, including nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.
South Korean officials said the Choe Hyon was likely built with Russian assistance.
Kim has framed his efforts to improve his country’s military capabilities as an attempt to ward off perceived threats from the US and its allies in the region.
