North Korea faces embarrassment as a recent destroyer launch goes awry, prompting strong rebuke from Kim Jong-un regarding the mishap's repercussions.
Kim Jong-un Expresses Outrage Following Failed Launch of North Korean Destroyer
Kim Jong-un Expresses Outrage Following Failed Launch of North Korean Destroyer
North Korean leader condemns mishap as a criminal failure and threatens punishment for those responsible.
North Korea’s latest attempt to launch a new navy destroyer has ended in failure, leaving leader Kim Jong-un seething with anger. The incident occurred in the port city of Chongjin, where a “serious accident” unfolded on Wednesday. According to the official Korean Central News Agency, during the launch, the vessel's stern slid prematurely down the slipway while the bow remained stuck, resulting in significant damage to the ship's hull and leaving it tipped onto its side in the water.
While the mishap has not officially been reported to involve casualties, South Korean military intelligence, which monitored the event through satellite images, confirmed the ship's unfortunate condition following the failed launch. This blunder is particularly detrimental for Kim, given that he has publicly emphasized North Korea's military enhancements and the expansion of its naval fleet as pivotal components of his governance.
In response to the debacle, Kim described the event as a “criminal act,” attributing the failure to carelessness and a lack of scientific methodology. North Korean media reported his stern reaction, indicating he would hold accountable those responsible for what he labeled as an action that diminished the nation's pride and reputation. The leader plans to address the incident at an upcoming Workers’ Party meeting, stressing the necessity of restoring the destroyed ship by the time of the meeting in June. He described the situation as a “political issue directly related to the prestige of the state,” signaling the high stakes involved.
While the mishap has not officially been reported to involve casualties, South Korean military intelligence, which monitored the event through satellite images, confirmed the ship's unfortunate condition following the failed launch. This blunder is particularly detrimental for Kim, given that he has publicly emphasized North Korea's military enhancements and the expansion of its naval fleet as pivotal components of his governance.
In response to the debacle, Kim described the event as a “criminal act,” attributing the failure to carelessness and a lack of scientific methodology. North Korean media reported his stern reaction, indicating he would hold accountable those responsible for what he labeled as an action that diminished the nation's pride and reputation. The leader plans to address the incident at an upcoming Workers’ Party meeting, stressing the necessity of restoring the destroyed ship by the time of the meeting in June. He described the situation as a “political issue directly related to the prestige of the state,” signaling the high stakes involved.
