North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to punish officials and workers responsible for a humiliating incident in which a newly built 5,000-ton destroyer partially capsized during its launch ceremony in the port city of Chongjin on May 21. The botched launch, described as a “catastrophic failure” by state media, has dealt a significant blow to Kim’s efforts to modernize North Korea’s navy and project military strength. The incident, which occurred in Kim’s presence, was publicly acknowledged in a rare admission of failure by the reclusive regime.
According to a report by The Washington Post, the destroyer, identified as a second Choe Hyon-class warship, was being side-launched into the water when its stern slid in first, crushing the hull and causing the vessel to lose balance. The ship, intended to rival the capabilities of the U.S. Aegis naval system, was left lying on its side, as confirmed by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Kim sharply criticized the “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism” of the officials, scientists, and shipyard workers involved, labeling the mishap a “criminal act” that tarnished the “dignity and self-respect” of North Korea, per the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
North Korea’s military ambitions
The Choe Hyon-class destroyer, named after a Korean guerrilla fighter from the 1930s, is a cornerstone of Kim’s naval modernization program. Touted for its “antiaircraft, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-ballistic missile capabilities,” the warship is a symbol of North Korea’s military ambitions. The first Choe Hyon-class destroyer was unveiled in April, with analysts noting its potential to enhance North Korea’s naval threat in the region, particularly when paired with Kim’s aspirations for a cruiser and a nuclear-powered submarine.
The challenges
However, the failed launch underscores significant challenges in North Korea’s shipbuilding efforts.. A May 15 report by 38 North noted that the side-launch method, unusual for North Korea, may have been necessitated by the lack of an inclined quay at the Chongjin shipyard, potentially exacerbating the risk of failure.
The timing
The incident’s timing is particularly embarrassing for Kim, who had ordered the ship’s restoration by late June for a key Workers’ Party meeting. The destroyer’s failure in front of the North Korean leader highlights the regime’s struggles to balance rapid military development with technical expertise.
South Korean and U.S. authorities, who had been monitoring the launch, confirmed the failure, with South Korea’s military noting possible Russian assistance in the Choe Hyon-class destroyer’s development. This aligns with reports of growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The incident was followed by North Korea’s firing of cruise missiles into the Sea of Japan, a move seen as a show of defiance amid the naval setback.
The implications
The mishap could have broader implications for North Korea’s naval ambitions. Experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies previously suggested that a successful Choe Hyon-class destroyer could significantly enhance North Korea’s naval capabilities, posing a new threat to South Korea and the U.S. in the region. However, the accident reveals persistent gaps in technical expertise and infrastructure, potentially undermining Kim’s vision of a modernized navy equipped with advanced warships and nuclear-capable assets like submarines and underwater drones.
As North Korea grapples with the fallout, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges facing its military modernization efforts. While Kim’s public acknowledgment of the failure is rare, his promise of punishment signals a likely crackdown on those deemed responsible, reflecting the regime’s intolerance for setbacks in its quest for military prestige.