North Korea's Ambitious Naval Project Faces Setback as New Destroyer Overturns During Launch

Image Credits: Wikipedia

In a rather embarrassing turn of events,North Korea’s latest 5,000-ton destroyer capsized during its launch ceremony in Chongjin,right in front of Kim Jong Un. the state media didn’t mince words, labeling the incident a “criminal act” stemming from “absolute carelessness” adn “irresponsibility,” which not only damaged the ship but also tarnished the nation’s image.

This warship was touted as North Korea’s largest to date. Unluckily, it lost stability during an unconventional sideways launch—an approach that led to structural failure and caused the vessel to tip over in front of a large audience.Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries.

Kim Jong Un expressed his disappointment openly, criticizing the mishap as an instance of “unscientific empiricism.” He promised that those accountable would face repercussions at an upcoming ruling party meeting in June.Moreover, he insisted on restoring the ship before this gathering as he believed it represented more than just a technical blunder; it was about national pride and authority.

This public acknowledgment of failure is quite rare for North Korea and follows other notable incidents like unsuccessful satellite launches and even a tragic apartment building collapse.

Experts have pointed out that launching such a massive vessel sideways is highly atypical—likely due to inadequate facilities at their shipyard like slipways or dry docks. This method may be simpler but poses meaningful risks for larger ships. South Korean military sources later confirmed they observed the destroyer lying on its side in the water.

The failed launch represents a significant hurdle for Kim’s ambitions to modernize North Korea’s naval fleet with advanced warships capable of deploying various missiles. Earlier this year saw another 5,000-ton destroyer unveiled along North Korea’s west coast; Kim claimed it could carry over 70 missiles.

Interestingly enough, shortly after this mishap occurred, South Korean military officials reported multiple cruise missile launches from near that same location.

Analysts suggest these new destroyers are part of North Korea’s strategy to counterbalance South Korean naval advancements.There are also whispers about potential short-range tactical nuclear capabilities being integrated into these vessels—though experts remain skeptical about whether North Korea has achieved miniaturization necessary for such weapons. Some speculate Russia might have lent technical expertise or components during development.

Reference: Reuters