SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean authorities have detained three shipyard officials following the failed launch of a 5,000-ton-class naval destroyer, an incident that state media described as a humiliating mishap attributed to “criminal negligence” by the nation’s leader, Kim Jong Un.
The ill-fated launch occurred Wednesday at the Chongjin Shipyard, a major naval construction site in North Korea’s northeastern region. Kim was present for the event, which ended in disaster when a transport cradle detached prematurely, causing the vessel to tip onto its side, according to satellite imagery analyzed in the aftermath.
Images showed the vessel partially submerged and covered in blue tarps — a stark contrast to the triumphant tone North Korea projected during the launch of its first modern destroyer just last month.
The failed launch dealt a blow to Kim’s ongoing efforts to strengthen North Korea’s maritime military forces, which he frequently frames as a necessary response to escalating U.S.-led security threats in the region.
The destroyed vessel was expected to be the country’s second-known destroyer and part of a broader push to modernize the North Korean navy. Like its predecessor, launched in April with significant fanfare, the ship was reportedly capable of carrying an array of weapons, including nuclear-capable missiles.
But Wednesday’s debacle instead drew rare public criticism from Kim himself.
“This was a criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism,” Kim said, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
KCNA reported Sunday that law enforcement had arrested the shipyard’s chief engineer, the head of the hull construction workshop, and the deputy manager for administrative affairs, holding them directly responsible for the failed operation.
In addition, Hong Kil Ho, the shipyard manager, was summoned for questioning, according to earlier reports.
North Korea’s powerful Central Military Commission supported Kim’s harsh assessment, declaring that those involved “can never evade their responsibility for the crime.”
Despite North Korean claims that the damage to the destroyer was limited — with only minor hull scratches and some seawater entering the stern — international observers have raised doubts.
Satellite analysis shows the vessel listing heavily and possibly suffering significant structural damage, with some experts suggesting it could take far longer than the 10-day repair timeline North Korea claimed on Friday.
The failed launch represents not just a technical setback, but a public embarrassment for Kim, who has staked political capital on enhancing the country’s naval capabilities.
The initial destroyer launch last month was widely publicized, with North Korean media boasting of a “new era” in maritime defense. State reports emphasized the destroyer’s capability to project power and defend against perceived foreign aggression, especially in disputed maritime zones.
Now, the stark contrast between that triumph and Wednesday’s failure has undermined the narrative of technological advancement and precision that Pyongyang has worked to project.
AP
