Kim Jong-un angry: His new warship badly damaged during launch

Chongjin (North Korea) - Kim Jong-un had to watch everything and threatens those responsible with consequences! A serious incident occurred during the launching of the latest North Korean warship . The 5000-ton destroyer was badly damaged.

A North Korean destroyer was severely damaged during launching. It is said to be a ship similar to the one pictured here. (archive picture)
A North Korean destroyer was severely damaged during launching. It is said to be a ship similar to the one pictured here. (archive picture)  © Montage: KCNA VIA KNS / AFP,

Kim Jong-un appeared in person and wanted to see his new ship being launched on Wednesday. But the ceremonial launching at the Chongjin shipyard ended in disaster.

The stern suddenly detached from the launching sled. The North Korean news agency KCNA admitted that the 5,000-ton destroyer got into a dangerous inclined position, slid uncontrollably into the water and suffered severe damage to its hull. According to South Korean reports, the destroyer even capsized.

"Comrade Kim Jong-un observed the entire course of the accident and came to a strict judgment," it said. The dictator spoke of a "criminal act" and sees the "dignity and pride" of his country severely damaged.

Kim wants to raise the incident at the next plenary session of the party's Central Committee. The engineers, officials and shipyard workers responsible, as well as their families, are likely to face severe consequences. In North Korea, the rule is to serve time in the Kim regime's death camps.

At the same time, however, the dictator also ordered that the repairs to the warship must be completed "unconditionally" by June. The shipyard workers must now show"ardent patriotic loyalty and unconditional sacrifice ", the leader demanded.

Satellite images show the now damaged ship before it was launched.
Satellite images show the now damaged ship before it was launched.  © © 2025 PLANET LABS PBC / AFP
North Korea launched the "Choe Hyon" class ship at the end of April.
North Korea launched the "Choe Hyon" class ship at the end of April.  © AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS
The Choe Hyon fires a missile.
The Choe Hyon fires a missile.  © KCNA VIA KNS / AFP

North Korea arms navy

At the launch at the end of April, the "Great Supreme Leader", here with daughter Ju-ae, was still "satisfied".
At the launch at the end of April, the "Great Supreme Leader", here with daughter Ju-ae, was still "satisfied".  © KCNA VIA KNS / AFP

North Korea had already launched the destroyer "Choe Hyon" at the end of April. Kim Jong-un was also present at this launch, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae (12 or 13). He was "satisfied" afterwards.

"The ship is equipped with powerful weapons" and will be launched "early next year", Kim claimed. It is only one of several planned warships and may be able to fire cruise missiles. According to the South Korean newspaper"Joong Ang", the now-damaged destroyer is said to be a ship of this class.

After the botched christening, Kim Jong-un once again ordered a missile test and had several cruise missiles fired in the direction of the Sea of Japan.