Accident During Warship Launch
SEOUL (Reuters) – A significant incident transpired on Wednesday during the launch of a new North Korean warship. Kim Jong Un was present at the event when the mishap occurred. State media KCNA reported that the leader condemned the incident as a “criminal act” that was intolerable.
Details of the Incident
Kim Jong Un witnessed the unsuccessful launch of the 5,000-ton destroyer and expressed strong disapproval. He attributed the accident to “carelessness,” which he argued tarnished the nation’s dignity. Furthermore, he directed that the ship be restored ahead of a ruling party meeting slated for June, as reported by KCNA.
No details were provided regarding potential casualties resulting from the accident.
Launch Methodology and Challenges
The accident occurred during a side launch, a technique deemed risky for a vessel of that size, particularly given the technical and financial challenges North Korea faces, according to military analysts. This further highlighted the precariousness surrounding the ship’s launch process and raised concerns about the capabilities of North Korea’s naval engineering.
Witnesses indicated that the mishap likely took place in front of a sizable crowd at the northeastern port of Chongjin, amplifying public embarrassment for Kim Jong Un. KCNA detailed that the incident resulted from a loss of balance while launching the vessel, causing sections of the ship’s underside to be crushed. However, the report lacked comprehensive information regarding the extent of the damage incurred.
Kim Jong Un’s Response
Following the accident, Kim Jong Un made a stern assessment, branding the incident a severe accident and a “criminal act” stemming from “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism,” as described by KCNA. He emphasized that such conduct was intolerable.
In his remarks, Kim stated that the mishap “brought the dignity and self-respect of our state to a collapse,” asserting that the immediate restoration of the destroyer was imperative—not just practically but also politically, as it significantly influenced the state’s authority.
The State of the Destroyer
According to South Korea’s military, the ship currently lies on its side in the water following the failed launch.
At the same time the accident was being reported, North Korea reportedly launched multiple cruise missiles from an area located south of the port, indicating a potentially distractive display of military capability amidst the embarrassment of the failed ship launch.
Public Disclosure of Military Failures
This rare public acknowledgment of an accident draws attention, especially considering a previous report of the launch of another destroyer of similar size that occurred in April, which Kim also attended, at the west coast shipyard of Nampho. Such public disclosures are unusual in a regime that typically portrays a façade of unyielding strength and success.
North Korea has a history of accidents, including satellite launch failures and structural collapses, which have been subsequently utilized to highlight leadership’s role in rectifying such issues. This pattern suggests a strategic approach to managing public perception through the lens of resilience and recovery.
The Significance of the Destroyers
The destroyers being launched by North Korea this year represent the largest warships in the nation’s naval fleet, part of Kim’s broader initiative to enhance naval capabilities with vessels that can carry and deploy numerous missiles. This endeavor reflects North Korea’s ongoing commitment to bolstering its military presence and capabilities in a region fraught with geopolitical tension.
In a report released the week prior to the launch, U.S.-based 38 North indicated that the ship was set to be side-launched from the quay. This method has not been commonly observed for naval launches in North Korea, which raises questions about the shipyard’s capacity and resources. Analysts speculate that the choice of side-launching may stem from inadequate space or insufficient incline to facilitate a more conventional stern-first water entry.
Technical Limitations and Consequences
North Korea’s lack of floating or dry docks, which are standard in more advanced shipbuilding nations, complicates its naval operations. A stern launch typically requires more sophisticated equipment, leading to the necessity of less conventional launching methods. Retired South Korean submarine commander Choi Il remarked that side launching could be regarded as the most basic, simplest, and cost-effective approach, provided it is executed correctly.
The failure to successfully launch the country’s largest warship has prompted discussions about the implications of such an embarrassing incident for national pride. Military expert Yang Wuk from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies pointed out that the public nature of this failure is profoundly humiliating for North Korea. The accident starkly contrasts the image of an indomitable military prowess that the regime typically seeks to project.
Surveying the Aftermath
Commercial satellite imagery of the shipyard a day before the launch depicted the destroyer situated on the quay, flanked by support vessels, with its missile tube magazines exposed—a sight that underscores the formidable ambitions behind North Korea’s naval aspirations. The accumulation of failures and challenges in launching this important vessel adds layers of complexity to an already fraught political and military landscape.
