Kim Jong Un Furious as North Korea’s New Destroyer Crippled in Failed Launch

North Korea’s latest naval pride suffered a major setback Wednesday during its launch ceremony, sparking the rare public fury of leader Kim Jong Un. The new 5,000-ton warship was severely damaged after a malfunction caused the stern to slide prematurely into the water—crushing part of the hull and leaving the bow stuck on the shipway.

A Rare Admission of Failure

State media, through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), called the mishap a blow to the nation’s prestige. Kim Jong Un described the failure as “a criminal act” rooted in “absolute carelessness” and “irresponsibility” by several key state institutions, including the Munitions Industry Department, Kim Chaek University of Technology, and the central ship design bureau.

South Korea’s military confirmed the damaged vessel is lying on its side in the water, unable to move, according to Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-joon.

Catastrophic Damage

Naval experts warn the damage could be devastating. Professor Sal Mercogliano from Campbell University explained that if the ship’s hull doesn’t move as one, the stresses could tear it apart. Carl Schuster, a naval analyst in Hawaii, agreed, saying the launch likely warped the hull, caused cracks, and may have snapped the keel—the ship’s backbone.

A Blow to North Korea’s Naval Ambitions

This accident is a major blow to what many analysts see as North Korea’s most ambitious naval modernization effort in decades. The vessel was supposed to be the second new major surface warship unveiled recently—following the launch of the Choe Hyon destroyer in April, which Kim hailed as a “new generation” ship aimed at strengthening naval defenses amid rising tensions with the U.S. and South Korea.

Though details about these new ships remain scarce, satellite images suggest the Choe Hyon has design elements similar to Russian naval vessels. The damaged ship is thought to share many of the same features.

Pressure to Repair Fast—But Challenges Loom

Kim Jong Un demanded the ship be fully restored before the ruling Workers’ Party’s plenary session scheduled for late June, calling the repair effort a matter of “national honor” and political accountability.

However, experts are skeptical. Retired South Korean Admiral Kim Duk-ki pointed out that North Korea likely lacks the essential infrastructure—like a dry dock—to properly repair a ship of this size. Without a dry dock, which allows ships to be drained for maintenance, repairs could take more than four to five months.

South Korean defense analyst Yu Yong-weon added that the rushed launch likely caused the failure and warned that hasty repairs might lead to even more problems in the future.

Investigation and Fallout

An accident investigation team has been formed, and KCNA reports that senior officials may face punishment at an upcoming Party Central Committee meeting.

North Korea’s navy is generally considered the least developed branch of its military, and the rapid push to build new destroyers has surprised outside observers. Questions remain about how much of the new ships’ technology is actually operational versus symbolic posturing.

Professor Mercogliano noted that state media has yet to show any images of the new warships underway, leaving doubts about whether they even have functioning engines.

What’s Next?

This developing story highlights the challenges facing North Korea’s naval ambitions and the internal pressure on its leadership to deliver military progress despite setbacks. We will update as new information emerges.