A newly built North Korean warship capsizes and sank during a launch ceremony in full view of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, sparking outrage and a swift response from the regime.
Kim Jong-un Reacts as North Korean Warship Capsizes During Launch
According to Mail Online, the 5,000-ton destroyer suffered a catastrophic failure while attempting to launch. Kim Jong-un reportedly watched in disbelief as the vessel tilted, capsized, and was severely damaged before it could complete its debut.
State media described Kim’s reaction as one of fury. He condemned the incident as a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness” and called for urgent corrective measures.
KCNA Blames Technical Failure and Negligence
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed that a “serious accident” occurred during the launch on Wednesday. A detailed investigation revealed the cause:
“Due to immature command and operational negligence, the parallel movement of the bogies could not be guaranteed. This led to the stern launching sled detaching first, which caused the ship to capsize,” KCNA reported.
The report added that a rupture in the ship’s hull further destabilized the vessel, and the bow was unable to detach from the keel as intended.
This is not the first time a North Korean warship has capsized during launch, raising questions about the country’s naval protocols.
Political Fallout: Kim Orders Immediate Restoration
Calling the blunder “a serious accident and a criminal act,” Kim Jong-un stressed that the mishap went beyond a technical failure. He stated:
“This is a serious accident that could not have happened and cannot be tolerated. It was the result of carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.”
Kim ordered the destroyer to be fully restored before the Central Committee’s plenary meeting in June, calling the repairs “a political issue directly related to the country’s authority.”
Warship Linked to Previous Launch
The sunken ship appears to be the same class as the 5,000-ton Choi Hyun-ho, a destroyer launched last month. According to Jo Chun Ryong, a secretary in the ruling Workers’ Party, that ship was built in just over 400 days and was said to be equipped with North Korea’s “most powerful weapons.”
The fact that a North Korean warship capsized during launch could impact the regime’s military image and global perception.
Key Takeaways:
- A North Korean destroyer capsized during a launch in front of Kim Jong-un.
- The accident was blamed on negligence and technical faults.
- Kim ordered immediate restoration ahead of a major political event.
- The destroyer is reportedly of the same class as the Choi Hyun-ho.
