Kim Jong Un angry at the ship's launch crash, calling Mishap a “criminal act” – State
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un condemned a failed launch of a naval ship after his public appearance.
The accident happened on Wednesday when Kim Jong Il attended the new warship.
According to Reuters, after the incident, South Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the state's top leaders called it an intolerable “crime”.
King claims that the failed launch of the 5,000-ton destroyer was caused by “carelessness”, which dissatisfied his country's national dignity.
KCNA said on Thursday that he ordered the resumption of the ship at a ruling party meeting in June. The report did not say whether there were any casualties.
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The accident occurred when a ship called a side launch descended into the water.
Military analysts told Reuters that the operation is risky given the ship's large size and the technical and financial challenges of North Korean faces.
Analysts added that the unfortunate event could have happened in front of a large crowd in Northeast Gyeongjin, adding to the public humiliation of Jin.
In a report detailing the ship's launch preparations last week, U.S.-based 38 North said it appeared to have lifted ships from the docks – a method that has not been observed before in North Korea.
A 24-hour Yonhap News TV broadcast was conducted at Seoul Railway Station, showing a strategic cruise missile fired in the West Sea or North Korea's Yellow Sea with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un during a drilling in the North Korean People's Army (KPA).
Kim Jae-Hwan/sopa Image/lightrocket/Getty Image
Meanwhile, military analysts told the news media that the approach is likely to be an option because the ship was placed in the shipyard without enough space or inclination to safely put it in the water.
The incident was caused by a loss of balance during the ship's launch, KCNA said.
According to the agency, a portion of the bottom of the warship was crushed, although it provided no further details about the damage caused. Satellite images of Planet Labs PBC seen by the Associated Press appear to show the container rolling to its side, placed diagonally from the dock, with most of the hull flooded and covered with blue covers.
KCNA also reported: “Kim Jong-un carried out serious accidents and criminal acts on the harsh assessment, which are serious accidents and criminal acts caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism…”
The accident “destroyed our nation’s dignity and self-esteem,” Kim said, adding that the immediate recovery of the destroyer was “not only a practical issue, but a political issue directly related to state authority.”
North Korea has experienced accidents of similar nature in the past, including satellite launch failures and apartment buildings crashes.
North Korea launched its 5,000-ton destroyer this year, by far its largest warship and part of Kim’s efforts to build the country’s naval capacity, which is able to carry and launch dozens of missiles.
– Documents from Reuters and AP
& Copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
