Chongjin, May 22, 2025 – A significant setback occurred in North Korea’s naval modernization efforts when the launch of a new 5,000-ton destroyer failed at the Chongjin shipyard. The vessel, intended to bolster the country’s maritime capabilities, suffered structural damage during the launch ceremony attended by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.
According to state media, the mishap was due to the premature sliding of the ship’s stern during a side-launch, causing the hull to crush and the vessel to tip, leaving the bow stranded on the slipway. Kim Jong Un condemned the incident as a “serious accident and criminal act” resulting from “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.”
This destroyer is the second in the Choe Hyon-class, following the launch of the first vessel in April. The class represents North Korea’s most advanced surface combatants, featuring vertical launch systems and phased-array radar.
Kim has ordered the damaged ship to be restored before a key Workers’ Party meeting in June, emphasizing that the issue is not only practical but also political, directly related to the state’s authority.
The incident marks a rare public acknowledgment of a military failure by North Korea, reflecting Kim’s approach to transparency in governance.
In a related development, North Korea launched multiple cruise missiles from the vicinity of the Chongjin port shortly after the failed launch, according to South Korea’s military.
The failed launch underscores the challenges North Korea faces in its ambitious military modernization programs, particularly in naval capabilities.
