In a stunning failure witnessed by North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, a newly unveiled 5,000-ton naval destroyer dramatically capsized during its launch ceremony in the port city of Chongjin. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has dealt a significant blow to the country’s military prestige, prompting Kim to issue a scathing condemnation and demand immediate rectification.
This was no ordinary launch. The Choe Hyon-class destroyer was meant to be a centerpiece of North Korea’s growing naval power, a signal to regional rivals and a cornerstone of its defensive and offensive maritime strategy. But instead of triumphant cheers, the ceremony ended in disarray, embarrassment, and urgent orders from the top.
Catastrophic Launch Failure
The ship in question was one of North Korea’s most ambitious naval projects to date. But as it was being launched via a side-launch method—common for some shipyards—the massive destroyer became unbalanced. According to reports, the transport cradle slid prematurely from the stern, causing the vessel to tip awkwardly into the water, where it came to rest on its side.
Eyewitnesses noted a moment of stunned silence followed by urgent shouting from military officials. The bow of the ship remained partially stranded on the slipway while the hull showed visible structural damage, especially along its starboard side.
State media KCNA confirmed the warship was “severely damaged after failing to launch properly,” and footage that later circulated on state-linked channels showed the destroyer listing heavily in shallow waters.
Kim Jong-un’s Immediate Reaction
Kim Jong-un, who was in attendance to personally oversee the event, did not mince words. In a rare public admission of failure, North Korea’s leader labeled the incident a “serious accident and criminal act” driven by “absolute carelessness and unscientific empiricism.” He stressed that the botched launch “disgraced the dignity of the state” and ordered a swift investigation into those responsible.
He further instructed military engineers and party officials to complete full repairs to the vessel before the upcoming ruling Workers’ Party meeting in June. Observers interpret this as a direct order not only to salvage the ship but also to salvage national pride.
This stern reaction reflects both the symbolic importance of the destroyer and the regime’s intolerance for public failure, especially under the gaze of the country’s supreme leader.
Choe Hyon-Class Destroyer: North Korea’s Naval Ambition
The destroyer that capsized is part of the Choe Hyon-class—a new line of North Korean warships designed to modernize its outdated navy. These ships are equipped with advanced radar, vertical missile launching systems, and improved maneuverability, marking a bold leap from the smaller patrol boats and corvettes that make up most of the Korean People’s Navy.
Named after a revered revolutionary figure, the Choe Hyon-class destroyers symbolize not just technological progress but ideological strength. North Korea showcased the first successful launch of this class just weeks ago, fueling speculation about the country’s efforts to project power across East Asian waters.
Strategically, these vessels are seen as essential for deterring U.S. and South Korean naval assets and for asserting control over disputed maritime zones.
Repercussions for North Korea’s Military Image
The failed launch is more than an engineering setback—it’s a propaganda disaster. North Korea prides itself on military discipline and technological prowess, especially when demonstrated to the world. This very public failure undermines both narratives.
Internally, the fallout may be severe. Experts anticipate potential disciplinary action against those involved in the ship’s construction and launch preparations. There could be purges within the military-industrial hierarchy as the regime seeks to restore order and signal zero tolerance for perceived incompetence.
For a regime that carefully curates its image of invincibility, the optics of a capsized destroyer in front of the Supreme Leader are damaging. It also raises practical questions about the reliability of other newly developed military hardware.
