Following a botched warship launch in North Korea, Kim Jong Un has expressed his outrage, calling the incident a severe blow to the nation's pride and demanding the responsible parties be held accountable.
Kim Jong Un Criticizes Warship Launch Mishap as a National Embarrassment
Kim Jong Un Criticizes Warship Launch Mishap as a National Embarrassment
The North Korean leader condemns a failed warship launch, labeling it a "criminal act" and emphasizing the need for accountability.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed deep concern following a significant mishap during the launch of a new warship, referring to the incident as a "serious accident" that has compromised the dignity of the nation. Kim, who was on-site during the launch, declared the event a "criminal act" that should not be overlooked.
State media reported that the lower parts of the 5,000-ton destroyer were crushed, leading to instability in the vessel. As a response, Kim has ordered that repairs be made swiftly, in time for a crucial party meeting scheduled for June. Furthermore, he insisted that individuals associated with the design of the ship face consequences for their failures, contributing to the embarrassing situation that he stated had harmed the nation's pride.
Fortunately, reports from state media did not indicate any injuries or casualties resulting from the incident, which occurred at a shipyard located in Chongjin, on the eastern coast of the country. Kim attributed the failure to "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism," and warned that the reckless actions of those responsible would be addressed at an upcoming plenary meeting.
North Korea's tendency to conceal domestic accidents makes this public acknowledgment unusual. However, it is not unprecedented; similar situations have been revealed in the past, such as an explosion of a military satellite described as a "gravest failure" last November. A botched satellite launch in August 2023 was downplayed as "not a big issue," despite being linked to design flaws.
This launch debacle comes shortly after North Korea showcased its new 5,000-ton destroyer on the west coast, which was claimed to be capable of carrying over 70 missiles. Kim touted the warship as a significant advancement in modernizing the nation's naval capabilities and affirmed it would be operational by early next year. The tension surrounding this latest incident reflects the ongoing pressures facing the North Korean regime, both domestically and internationally.
