Kim Jong Un Critiques Ship Launch Mishap, Calls for Accountability

Kim Jong Un condemned a significant accident during the launch of a new destroyer, which resulted in the vessel being rendered unstable. He has called for both restoration of the ship and repercussions for the designers, underlining the importance of maintaining national dignity.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has voiced strong disapproval regarding a significant mishap during the launch of a new warship, branding the incident a "serious accident" that undermines the nation’s pride and dignity. The launch, which took place in Chongjin, resulted in parts of the 5,000-ton destroyer sustaining damage that tilted the ship and compromised its stability, according to state media reports.

Present at the launch, Kim characterized the events as a "criminal act" and insisted that it could not be overlooked. He emphasized that those responsible for the ship's design would face consequences during an upcoming key party gathering scheduled for June. While state officials did not mention any injuries resulting from the incident, Kim attributed the failure to "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism."

This incident marks a rare instance of public acknowledgment of failure by North Korean authorities, who typically maintain a veil of secrecy regarding such local accidents. Previous incidents, including a mid-air military satellite explosion last November and a botched satellite launch in August, have also drawn critical responses from the regime, although similar transparency is unusual.

The unfortunate launch mishap follows the recent showcase of a similar destroyer earlier this month, which North Korea claimed is a significant advancement in the modernization of its naval capabilities, designed to carry over 70 missiles. Kim had touted this military vessel as a transformative addition to the country’s arsenal, with plans for it to be operational in the near future.