Kim Jong Un Flips Out After North Korea’s New Warship Launch Goes Spectacularly Awry

In an incident this week in which North Korea’s second naval destroyer failed to launch successfully, state media reported on Thursday that the vessel had been damaged, causing embarrassment for leader Kim Jong Un as he aims to modernize his navy. The acknowledgment of this military setback is unusual for North Korea, indicating Kim’s commitment to advancing his naval forces and confidence in achieving his goals.

During a launch ceremony at the port of Chongjin on Wednesday, the newly constructed 5,000-ton-class destroyer faced difficulties and sustained damage to its bottom sections. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the vessel became unbalanced and suffered punctures after a transport cradle on the stern section slid off and got stuck. Although KCNA did not provide specific details on the cause of the problem, the severity of the damage, or any injuries, Kim, present at the event, blamed military officials and called for a Workers’ Party meeting to address the errors.

Moon Keun-sik, a navy expert at Hanyang University in Seoul, suggested that the incident likely occurred due to North Korean workers’ lack of familiarity with such a large warship and the rushed process of putting it in the water. The damaged vessel was likely similar to the country’s first destroyer, unveiled in April, which experts deemed as North Korea’s most extensive and advanced warship. The first destroyer, named Choe Hyon, was praised by Kim for its potential to enhance the military’s operational range and nuclear strike capabilities.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Lee Sung Joon, stated that the damaged vessel likely possessed similar systems and remained overturned in the sea. Recent satellite images revealed North Korea’s construction of a second destroyer at a shipyard in Chongjin. The vessel, part of the Choe Hyon-class guided missile destroyers, was observed being built using a method rarely utilized in North Korea.

As North Korea demonstrates its military capabilities through these actions, Kim Jong Un has emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s navy in response to perceived threats. North Korea recently conducted missile tests near Sondok, following a series of weapons-testing activities. South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are analyzing the missile launches to determine their range and capabilities.