North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has harshly criticized military and shipbuilding officials following a major mishap during the launch of a newly built warship, calling the incident a “serious accident and criminal act,” as per Al Jazeera.
The 5,000-tonne destroyer sustained hull damage when a transport cradle malfunctioned during a launch ceremony in the northeastern port city of Chongjin. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) blamed the damage on “inexperienced command and operational carelessness,” saying the cradle detached prematurely, resulting in a failed launch.
Kim, who was present at the launch, reportedly issued a “stern assessment,” denouncing the mishap as a product of “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.” He sharply reprimanded those responsible and warned they would face consequences at the next plenary session of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea’s Central Committee.
The North Korean leader emphasized that repairing the vessel was “not merely a practical issue but a political issue directly related to the authority of the state,” KCNA reported. He has ordered the ship to be restored in time for the Central Committee’s June meeting.
South Korea’s military later confirmed the failed launch, noting that the ship appeared to partially capsize during a side-launch maneuver.
The incident is particularly notable in a country where public admissions of failure are rare and the leadership of the Kim dynasty is portrayed as infallible. KCNA’s acknowledgment underscores the seriousness of the accident.
The destroyer had been unveiled during a high-profile ceremony on April 25, with Kim proclaiming it “the first warship of a new generation” and key to defending North Korea’s maritime sovereignty. He described the vessel as being equipped with “the most powerful weapons” and hailed its launch as a milestone in the regime’s efforts to become a major maritime power.
