North Korea's latest attempt to showcase its naval power has ended in embarrassment for Kim Jong-un, who has vowed to hold officials accountable for the failed launch of a new destroyer.
**Kim Jong-un Expresses Outrage Over Failed Launch of North Korean Destroyer**
**Kim Jong-un Expresses Outrage Over Failed Launch of North Korean Destroyer**
In a recent mishap during a naval launch, Kim Jong-un condemns officials for a disastrous error that has tainted the nation's military ambitions.
In a striking setback for North Korea's military ambitions, the country's recent attempt to launch a 5,000-ton navy destroyer concluded with a catastrophic failure, drawing sharp criticism from leader Kim Jong-un. The incident occurred on a Wednesday in Chongjin, a strategic port city on the northeastern coast, when the destroyer lost balance during the launch. Reports from the state-run Korean Central News Agency described the mishap as a "serious accident," noting that while Kim observed, the ship’s stern slid down the slipway but its bow failed to leave the ramp, resulting in major hull damage.
Despite the embarrassing incident, North Korea has not published any images of the launch failure, nor have there been confirmed reports of casualties. Surveillance by South Korean military officials, aided by satellite technologies, suggested the ship was left on its side in the water post-launch. This incident comes on the heels of at least one other unsuccessful naval launch within the same month, aggravating the situation for Kim Jong-un, who frequently emphasizes military growth, envisioning a modernized naval fleet to replace outdated Soviet-era vessels.
In a public condemnation following the failure, Kim described the events as a criminal act, attributing the mishap to carelessness and "unscientific empiricism." He expressed deep disappointment, declaring that such negligence could not be tolerated as it undermines the country's dignity and self-respect. Kim warned that the errors of those in charge will be dealt with in an upcoming Workers' Party meeting, planned for next month. He demanded that efforts be made to restore the damaged destroyer in time for this critical meeting, highlighting the political stakes involved in maintaining the nation's prestige on the world stage.
Despite the embarrassing incident, North Korea has not published any images of the launch failure, nor have there been confirmed reports of casualties. Surveillance by South Korean military officials, aided by satellite technologies, suggested the ship was left on its side in the water post-launch. This incident comes on the heels of at least one other unsuccessful naval launch within the same month, aggravating the situation for Kim Jong-un, who frequently emphasizes military growth, envisioning a modernized naval fleet to replace outdated Soviet-era vessels.
In a public condemnation following the failure, Kim described the events as a criminal act, attributing the mishap to carelessness and "unscientific empiricism." He expressed deep disappointment, declaring that such negligence could not be tolerated as it undermines the country's dignity and self-respect. Kim warned that the errors of those in charge will be dealt with in an upcoming Workers' Party meeting, planned for next month. He demanded that efforts be made to restore the damaged destroyer in time for this critical meeting, highlighting the political stakes involved in maintaining the nation's prestige on the world stage.
