‘Criminal act': Kim Jong-un demands answers after warship launch fiasco

The Age

23-05-2025

'No matter how good the state of the warship is, the fact that the accident is an unpardonable criminal act remains unchanged, and those responsible for it can never evade their responsibility for the crime,' the commission said, according to KCNA.
The mishap likely occurred in front of a large crowd, increasing the public humiliation for Kim, military analysts said.
Blaming military officials, scientists and shipyard operators, Kim ordered the warship to be repaired before a high-level ruling Workers' Party meeting in late June, KCNA reported.
Treating the accident as a serious matter was part of an effort to fight against 'incautiousness' and 'irresponsibility,' KCNA said.
Citing satellite imagery, the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said it appeared the ship had failed to move in one piece.
'The stern is seen swung out into the harbour as a result of the wheeled units placed under the frame sliding into the water while the bow remained on the side slipway,' the CSIS said.
The shipyard in Chongjin has primarily produced cargo vessels and fishing vessels and 'undoubtedly lacks significant expertise' in launching large warships, CSIS added.
It would take two to three days to restore the balance of the warship by pumping seawater from the flooded chamber and about 10 days to repair the vessel's side, the KCNA report said, citing experts' estimates.
The extremely secretive nature of North Korea makes it almost impossible to verify the damage.
The reclusive state has a history of manipulating or covering up military-related setbacks, policy fiascoes and other mishaps, though it has periodically acknowledged some of these events in recent years.
Observers believe North Korea's admission of the failed launch is probably meant to demonstrate Kim's resolve to advance his naval capabilities and boost discipline.
The damaged ship is thought to be of the same class as North Korea's first destroyer, Choe Hyon, unveiled last month with great fanfare, and said to be capable of carrying various weapons, including nuclear missiles.
Analysts say it is the North's biggest and most advanced warship to date and was likely built with Russian assistance.