Cliff Notes – North Korea warship reportedly damaged during launch
- A new North Korean destroyer launch ended in failure, described by Kim Jong Un as a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness.”
- Reports indicate that some sections of the warship were crushed, prompting Kim to order repairs ahead of an upcoming Workers’ Party meeting.
- This incident involved the second ship of the newly unveiled “Choe Hyon-class,” which had previously launched missiles in tests.
North Korea warship reportedly damaged during launch
A new North Korean naval destroyer launch ended in failure, state media reported Thursday.
North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, said Kim Jong Un described the accident as a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness.”
The country’s leader reportedly witnessed the failed launch, which left “some sections of the warship’s bottom crushed.”
Kim has ordered the ship to be repaired ahead of a major meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party Central Committee in late June.
North Korea’s largest warships yet
Last month, Pyongyang unveiled a 5,000-ton destroyer-class vessel, designated the “Choe Hyon-class.”
Kim and other officials attended a test of the ship, where supersonic and strategic cruise as well as anti-air missiles were launched.
It was the second ship of the same class under construction in the eastern port city of Chongjin that was damaged.
In a report last week on preparations for the launch of the accident ship, US-based 38 North said it appeared the ship would be side-launched from the quay, a method not previously observed in North Korea.
“The use of this launch method could be one of necessity, as the quay where the ship is being built does not have an incline,” the 38 North report said.
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Sources
Launch of new North Korean warship derailed by ‘serious accident’: State media – NK News
Warship accident crushed ‘self-respect’ of our state, says North Korea’s Kim Jong Un – Mathrubhumi English