North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un made headlines this week for a reason he likely did not want: a failed launch of the country’s newest and most advanced naval destroyer. The incident, which happened during a high-profile ceremony attended by Kim himself, has sparked anger from the leader and embarrassment for his military, while also revealing North Korea’s ambitions—and its struggles—in building a modern navy.
What Happened?
On May 21, 2025, at the northeastern port of Chongjin, North Korea tried to launch its second 5,000-ton-class destroyer, a ship it sees as crucial for strengthening its navy. But things did not go as planned. According to state-run media, the destroyer became unbalanced during the launch. The transport cradle—a kind of support structure used to move the ship into the water—slipped out of place, causing the ship’s bottom sections to be punctured and damaged. The exact cause of the accident is still unclear, and it is not known if anyone was hurt, but the damage to the new ship was enough to make Kim Jong Un furious.
This event was especially embarrassing because Kim had personally attended the ceremony. North Korean state media rarely admits to military failures, so the fact that they reported this accident suggests the leadership is serious about improving the navy and wants to show both its people and the world that it is pushing forward, even after setbacks.
Why Does This Matter?
North Korea has been trying hard to upgrade its navy, which until now has mostly relied on small ships and submarines. The new destroyer, which is much larger and more heavily armed than anything North Korea has built before, is meant to help the country deal with what it calls “escalating U.S.-led threats.” Kim wants bigger and better warships to match those of other countries in the region, like South Korea and Japan.
The first ship of this class, named Choe Hyon, was launched in April 2025 and is now the largest and most advanced vessel in North Korea’s fleet. It is armed with a powerful main gun, missile launchers, and other advanced weapons, and is meant to be able to fight against air, sea, and even underwater threats. The second ship was supposed to be just as impressive, but the accident has set back those plans, at least for now.
Kim’s Reaction
Kim Jong Un did not hide his anger. He blamed military officials, engineers, and shipyard workers for what he called “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.” He even called the accident a “criminal act.” Kim has ordered a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party to discuss the incident and how to prevent such mistakes in the future.
This kind of public criticism is rare in North Korea, where leaders usually do not admit to problems or blame their own people so openly. The fact that Kim did so shows how important this project is to him and how much he wants to modernize the navy.
What Comes Next?
Despite the accident, North Korea is not giving up on its naval ambitions. State media has said that the damaged destroyer is expected to be repaired and become operational next year. Kim has also promised to build more ships like this, as well as even larger cruisers and nuclear-powered submarines in the future.
Experts outside North Korea say the accident may have happened because workers were not used to handling such large ships and were under pressure to finish the project quickly. They also point out that building advanced warships is very difficult, especially for a country that does not have much experience with large-scale shipbuilding and faces economic and technological challenges.
North Korea’s failed destroyer launch is more than just a technical mishap. It is a sign of the country’s determination to become a stronger naval power, even as it faces serious obstacles. By admitting the accident, Kim is trying to show that he is committed to modernizing the military and is not afraid to hold people accountable for mistakes.
At the same time, the incident is a reminder of how hard it is for North Korea to keep up with its neighbors in terms of military technology. South Korea, Japan, and the United States all have much more advanced navies, and North Korea is playing catch-up. The accident also highlights the risks of rushing big projects without enough experience or resources.
Final Note
Kim Jong Un’s anger over the botched launch of North Korea’s latest destroyer shows how much he values a strong navy. While the accident is embarrassing, it also reveals the country’s ambitions and the challenges it faces. North Korea is determined to build a modern fleet, but as this incident shows, there are still many hurdles to overcome. For now, the world is watching to see how North Korea responds—and whether it can turn this setback into a step forward.
In summary, the failed launch of the new destroyer is a mix of embarrassment and ambition for North Korea. It shows both the country’s desire to be taken seriously as a naval power and the difficulties it faces in achieving that goal. The next few months will be crucial as North Korea tries to repair the damaged ship and continue its naval modernization plans.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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