by Temitope Oladeji
22/5/2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has strongly condemned what he described as a “serious accident” during the launch of a newly constructed 5,000-ton warship on Thursday, denouncing it as a “criminal act” that gravely undermined the nation’s pride.
According to state media, the incident occurred at a shipyard in the eastern port city of Chongjin.
It was reported that the vessel’s hull was crushed at the bottom, causing the warship to tip off balance.
Kim, who was present at the scene, expressed fury over the failure and demanded accountability from those involved in the ship’s design and construction.
“This irresponsible and unscientific blunder has severely damaged the dignity and pride of our nation in an instant,” Kim was quoted as saying.
He attributed the mishap to “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism” and ordered that the destroyer be restored before a key Workers’ Party plenary session scheduled for June.
The report did not make mention of any injuries or casualties resulting from the accident.
Kim also directed that those responsible for the incident face consequences at next month’s party meeting.
While the specific penalties were not disclosed, North Korea’s justice system is notoriously harsh, with human rights organizations reporting that citizens can face imprisonment for minor infractions, including consuming foreign media or attempting to flee the country.
Public acknowledgment of domestic failures is rare in North Korea, but Thursday’s statement marks another instance in a growing trend of limited transparency regarding state projects.
In November last year, Pyongyang admitted to a failed satellite launch due to a mid-air explosion and publicly criticized officials for mishandling preparations.
A similar incident in August 2023 was blamed on a faulty emergency blast system, although the government downplayed its severity.
The failed ship launch is particularly notable as it follows North Korea’s recent unveiling of a new 5,000-ton destroyer on the west coast, which the regime claimed could carry over 70 missiles.
At the time, Kim hailed the warship as a significant advancement in the modernization of the country’s naval forces and announced plans for its deployment early next year.
Thursday’s accident now casts uncertainty over those ambitions, as the regime scrambles to restore both the vessel and its international image.