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New York Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un furious over failed destroyer launch, vows to arrest those responsible
North Korea is seeking to arrest those responsible for the failed launch of its second naval destroyer, as it denied the warship suffered major damage — a claim quickly met with outside skepticism. A statement from North Korea on its handling of the botched launch came after leader Kim Jong Un expressed fury over the incident that he said was caused by criminal negligence. The main military committee said Friday that those responsible would be held accountable for their 'unpardonable criminal act.' Advertisement 7 North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un attends the launch ceremony of a newly-built destroyer alongside his daughter Ju Ae on April 25, 2025. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images Satellite imagery on the site showed the vessel lying on its side and draped in blue covers, with parts of it submerged. North Korea says it will take about 10 days to repair the damage, but outside observers question that timeframe because damage to the ship appeared much worse than what North Korea claims. Advertisement Here is what you need to know about the failed ship launch: How much damage was there to the ship? North Korea's state media said Friday the severity of the damage to the 5,000-ton-class destroyer was 'not serious' as it canceled an earlier assessment that the bottom of the hull had been left with holes. It said the hull on the starboard side was scratched and some seawater had flowed into the stern section. It said it needs a total of 10 days to pump out the seawater, set the ship upright and fix the scratches. Advertisement It's almost impossible to verify the assessment because of the extremely secretive nature of North Korea. 7 Satellite footage captured the extensive damage the destroyer sustained in the launch, as the vessel sits in the water covered by tarps. @osc_london/X 7 The newly-built destroyer sits above the water before the launch ceremony on May 18, 2025. via REUTERS It has a history of manipulating or covering up military-related setbacks, policy fiascoes and other mishaps, though it has periodically acknowledged some in recent years. Advertisement Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defense Network in South Korea, said the North Korean warship likely suffered much worse damage, including the flooding of its engine room located in the stern section, and holes in the starboard. He said North Korea could simply set the ship upright, paint it over and claim the ship has been launched, but that repairs could take more than a year as the replacement of an engine requires cutting the hull. Why the ship's launch failed According to the North Korean account, the destroyer was damaged when a transport cradle on the ship's stern detached early during a launch ceremony at the northeastern port of Chongjin on Wednesday. Moon Keun-sik, a navy expert who teaches at Seoul's Hanyang University, said North Korean workers are probably not familiar with launching a 5,000-ton-class warship, which is a few times heavier than its existing main navy ships. 7 According to the North Korean account, the destroyer was damaged when a transport cradle on the ship's stern detached early during a launch ceremony at the northeastern port of Chongjin on Wednesday. via REUTERS Observers say North Korea tried to launch the destroyer sideways, a method it has never used for warships, although it has previously employed it with big cargo and passenger ships. Compared with those non-military vessels, Lee sad it would be more difficult to maintain balance with the destroyer because it's equipped with heavy weapons systems. He suspected North Korean scientists and officials likely did not factor that in. How Kim has reacted Advertisement The damaged ship is assessed as the same class as North Korea's first destroyer, launched with great fanfare last month with a floating dry dock at a western shipyard. It is North Korea's biggest and most advanced warship to date, and Kim called its construction 'a breakthrough' in modernizing North Korea's naval forces to cope with what he calls US-led security threats. Subsequently, a failure to launch the second destroyer was an embarrassment for Kim. 7 Kim Jong Un addresses a crowd during a launch ceremony at the western port of Nampo on April 25, 2025. AP Advertisement 7 Kim Jong Un and his daughter participate in a ceremony near the destroyer on April 26, 2025. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images But by disclosing the failure both internally and externally, Kim could be trying to show his resolve in building greater naval forces and boosting discipline at home. He ordered officials to repair the warship before a ruling Workers' Party meeting in late June. The official Korean Central News Agency said Friday that a team of prosecutors and experts began steps to arrest and investigate those responsible as part of their full-scale investigation into the case. KCNA said that Hong Kil Ho, manager of the Chongjin shipyard, has been summoned for questioning. Advertisement 7 Kim Jong Un attends looks on during a launch ceremony for the country's new Naval destroyer. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images '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 North's Central Military Commission said in an instruction to the investigation team, according to KCNA. Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said North Korea appears to be using the failed launch as a chance to strengthen the ruling party's control over science and technological sectors. Advertisement Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute, said that North Korea's handling of the damaged warship could have long-term consequences for its defense science sector. 'If scientists are held severely accountable, I would say the future of North Korea's defense science doesn't look very bright, as it would be a sign that political responsibility is being prioritized over technical accountability,' Lee wrote on Facebook.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
North Korea's second naval destroyer damaged in failed launch at ceremony attended by Kim
North Korea's second naval destroyer was damaged in its failed launch to the water this week, state media reported Thursday, in an embarrassment for leader Kim Jong Un as he pushes to modernize his naval forces. It's not common for North Korea to acknowledge military-related setbacks, but observers say the disclosure of the failed ship launch suggests that Kim is serious about his naval advancement program and confident of ultimately achieving its objectives. During a launching event at the northeastern port of Chongjin on Wednesday, the newly built 5,000-ton-class destroyer became unbalanced and was punctured in its bottom sections after a transport cradle on the stern section slid off first and became stuck, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Advertisement 4 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) and his daughter Ju Ae attending the launch ceremony of a newly-built destroyer at the Nampo port in Nampo on April 26, 2025. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images KCNA didn't provide details on what caused the problem, the severity of the damage or whether anyone was injured. According to KCNA, Kim, who was present at the ceremony, blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for a 'serious accident and criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.' Kim called for a ruling Workers' Party meeting slated for late June to address their 'irresponsible errors.' Advertisement 'It's a shameful thing. But the reason why North Korea disclosed the incident is it wants to show it's speeding up the modernization of its navy forces and expresses its confidence that it can eventually build' a greater navy, said Moon Keun-sik, a navy expert who teaches at Seoul's Hanyang University. Moon suspected the incident likely happened because North Korean workers aren't yet familiar with such a large warship and were rushed to put it in the water. The damaged vessel was likely in the same class as the country's first destroyer, unveiled April 25, which experts assessed as the North's largest and most advanced warship to date. 4 Kim Jong Un speaks during a launching ceremony of a new naval destroyer at a western port in Nampo, North Korea, on April 25, 2025. AP Advertisement Kim called the first vessel, named Choe Hyon — a famed Korean guerilla fighter during the Japanese colonial period — a significant asset for advancing his goal of expanding the military's operational range and nuclear strike capabilities. State media described that ship as designed to handle various weapons systems, including anti-air and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. Kim said the ship was expected to enter active duty early next year and later supervised test-firings of missiles from the warship. Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday the damaged vessel was likely equipped with similar systems and remains toppled over in the sea. Advertisement 4 The launch ceremony of a newly-built destroyer at the Nampo port in Nampo. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images The North Korean report came after recent commercial satellite images indicated that the country was building its second destroyer at a shipyard in Chongjin. Beyond Parallel, a website run by the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said the satellite imagery of Chongjin's Hambuk shipyard on May 12 showed that a second vessel in the Choe Hyon-class of guided missile destroyers was under construction. A report by the North Korea-focused 38 North website assessed last week that the destroyer built at the Chongjin shipyard was being prepared to be launched sideways from the quay, a method that has been rarely used in North Korea. The report said the previous destroyer launched at the western shipyard of Nampo, in contrast, used a floating dry dock. South Korean officials and experts say the Choe Hyon destroyer was likely built with Russian assistance as the two countries' military partnerships are booming. 4 North Korea has unveiled a new warship it claims is a destroyer armed with the 'most powerful weapons.' KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images While North Korea's naval forces are considered inferior to South Korea's, analysts still view the destroyer as a serious security threat, as it could enhance the country's offensive and defensive capabilities. Advertisement Kim has framed the arms buildup as a response to perceived threats from the United States and its allies in Asia, who have been expanding joint military exercises amid rising tensions over the North's nuclear program. He says the acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine would be his next big step in strengthening his navy. Hours after releasing the report on the damaged destroyer, North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles from an area near the northeastern town of Sondok, according to South Korea's military. The launches were a continuation of a streak of weapons-testing activities by North Korea in recent years. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff didn't immediately say how far the missiles flew, noting the launches were being analyzed by South Korean and US intelligence authorities.
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First Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
New North Korean warship damaged in 'serious accident,' leaving Kim furious
A new North Korean warship was damaged during a 'serious accident' at a launch ceremony on Wednesday, leaving the country's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un furious read more This undated picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on April 30, 2025 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (centre R) with his daughter Ju Ae (centre L) attending the test-firing of a weapons system from North Korea's latest destroyer, the Choe Hyon (behind), during two days of tests on April 28-29 off the coast of an undisclosed location in North Korea. AFP A new North Korean warship was damaged in a 'serious accident,' leaving the country's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un furious. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the accident occurred on Wednesday at the northeastern port of Chongjin during a launch ceremony of the warship. The report came as a surprise because it was seen as a rare admission of failure by the hermit nation. According to KCNA, the 5,000-ton destroyer slid off a flatcar due to 'inexperienced command and operational carelessness in the course of the launch." The accident crushed the bottom parts of the ship. During the event, Kim reportedly stressed the importance of such destroyers for advancing North Korea's military capabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kim later described the accident as a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness' that 'could not be tolerated,' KCNA reported. He slammed the officials involved in the accident and said that the incident 'brought the dignity and self-respect of our state to a collapse". He ordered the ship to be restored before next month's plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party. Warship laid sideways Meanwhile, on Thursday, South Korea's military said the warship was lying sideways in the water. According to KCNA, Kim said the 'irresponsible errors' of officials responsible would be 'dealt with at the plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee to be convened next month'. The incident took place a month after Pyongyang unveiled another 5,000-tonne destroyer-class vessel named Choe Hyon . The launch ceremony was attended by Kim with his daughter Ju Ae, considered by many experts to be his likely successor. North Korea claimed that the vessel was equipped with the 'most powerful weapons' and that it would 'enter into operation early next year'. Following the launch event, some analysts argued that the ship could be equipped with short-range tactical nuclear missiles, although North Korea has not proven it can miniaturise its nukes. Amid speculations, the South Korean military argued that Choe Hyon could have been developed with Russian help , possibly in exchange for Pyongyang deploying thousands of troops in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Interestingly, the Wednesday ceremony was held in the North Korean city, which is conveniently close to Russia's Vladivostok port. Hence, Russian involvement cannot be disregarded. With inputs from agencies.
RTHK
07-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Kim pushes for production leap in artillery shells
Kim pushes for production leap in artillery shells Kim Jong-un is briefed on the production of artillery shells at an unknown location in North Korea. Photo: AFP/KCNA VIA KNS North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for his munitions industry to boost the production of artillery shells, state media said on Wednesday, as the country continues to supply arms and troops to support Russia's war on Ukraine. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said that Kim, during recent visits to unspecified munitions and machinery factories, praised modernization efforts that the agency claimed enabled the facilities to double their annual shell production capacity. Kim urged workers to further accelerate artillery shell production, calling it crucial to 'strengthening the fighting efficiency' of his armed forces, and also called for the development of more advanced machinery to boost munitions output. KCNA did not mention any comments from Kim regarding his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Recent South Korean intelligence assessments suggest that North Korea has sent about 15,000 soldiers to Russia, and that nearly 5,000 of them have been killed or injured while fighting against Ukrainian forces. After denying its war involvement for months, North Korea last month confirmed for the first time that it had sent combat troops to help Russia in recapturing parts of the Kursk region, which had fallen to a surprise Ukrainian incursion last year. Moscow also acknowledged the North Korean involvement, with Putin issuing a statement thanking the North for sending troops to support his forces and promising not to forget their sacrifices. (AP)
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Korea grants families rare privileges to temper anger over war dead
North Korea will allow the families of soldiers killed fighting for Russia the 'privilege' of moving to Pyongyang, and build a monument to its fallen soldiers, it has been reported. Being permitted to move to the capital is a rare honour under the authoritarian rule of Kim Jong-un, and is likely a calculated move to limit criticism of his regime by the relatives of the dead, experts have said. One analyst also suggested the offer may also be a way of concentrating families and reducing the spread of rumours about the losses that North Korean forces have suffered and the conditions they endured fighting in Vladimir Putin's armies. A report by the Seoul-based South and North Development Institute claimed that the government of Kim Jong-un is considering granting 'capital residency rights' to families of the war dead after it became apparent that there is a groundswell of public anger over the dispatch of troops to the war against Ukraine. Relatives of the deceased will reportedly be given homes in the newly developed suburbs of Songshin and Hwasong - KNS/KCNA Quoting sources in the North, the report said the relatives would be given homes in the newly developed suburbs of Songshin and Hwasong. 'Ordinarily, it is an enormous privilege to be able to live in Pyongyang as only the elite in North Korean society are permitted to live there or even enter the city,' said Rah Jong-yil, a former diplomat and senior South Korean intelligence officer. 'But it is also easy to see this as a means of controlling the families,' he added. 'Having these people all in one place means it is easier to stop the rumours spreading around the country and privilege is also something that can be taken away.' Reports claim North Korean troops have been killed while fighting Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk border region Reports of North Koreans fighting on Russia's behalf date back to October 2024. Although rumours have been rife in the North for several months, North Korean state-run media only officially reported that troops had been deployed to fight alongside Russian units in Ukraine on April 28. As many as 15,000 personnel are believed to have been sent to the front, with South Korean intelligence estimating that 600 have been killed and a further 4,100 injured. Announcing the North Korean contribution to the liberation of Russia's Kursk region after an extended incursion by Ukrainian troops last year, Kim Jong-un said, 'They all fought for justice and are heroes, representatives of the honour of their country'. 'Sense of solidarity' In a statement, Russia's leader Vladimir Putin expressed his appreciation for the assistance of Pyongyang's forces, saying, 'Our Korean friends acted out of a sense of solidarity, justice and genuine comradeship'. North Korea has also announced plans to construct a new 'combat honour monument' in Pyongyang. In another indication that the regime is bracing the public for the consequences of deploying units in Europe, state-run media reported that the Kaesong Disabled Soldiers' Medical Appliances Factory has been 'wonderfully renovated'. Kim Jong-un 'took benevolent measures' to modernise the factory and expand its production capacity, it added. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
