Kim Jong-un rages at ‘careless criminals’ as North Korean warship SINKS in front of his eyes.
North Korean warship sinks in humiliating launch failure
A 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer sank during a botched launch.
This sparked Kim Jong-un’s fury and demands for immediate restoration before a key political meeting.
A North Korean destroyer sank in front of Kim Jong-un during a failed launch ceremony. The incident sparked an explosive reaction from the leader. The 5,000-ton warship was intended to strengthen North Korea’s nuclear naval force. Instead, it capsized mid-launch, causing a major embarrassment for the regime.
The incident occurred at the port city of Nampo on Wednesday, during what was intended to be a high-profile display of military strength.
North Korean state media later confirmed the mishap. They called it a “serious accident” caused by “immature command and operational negligence.”
Reason why North Korean warship sank during launch failure
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the failure began when the launching sled at the ship’s stern detached prematurely.
This caused the vessel to lose balance and tip over.
The bow remained attached to the keel, causing the destroyer to tip and eventually capsize.
In a statement KCNA said: ‘Due to immature command and operational negligence, the parallel movement of the bogies could not be guaranteed, resulting in the launching sled in the stern detaching first and causing the ship to capsize.
‘The ship’s balance was destroyed due to a rupture in the hull in some sections, and the bow section was unable to detach from the keel.’
Kim Jong-un reportedly watched the debacle unfold in real time.
Furious, he called the event a “criminal act” and blamed it on “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.”
Kim Jong-un ordered full restoration of the warship
Kim has demanded that the damaged destroyer be fully restored before a key party plenary session in June.
Additionally, he emphasized that the failure was more than just a technical mistake. It was a blow to national pride and political legitimacy.
He continued: ‘The urgent restoration of the destroyer is not a simple practical issue, but a political issue directly related to the authority of the country.’
‘It must be completed unconditionally before the June plenary session of the Central Committee of the Party’, he added.
He also warned military officials that such errors could not be tolerated and insisted on holding those responsible accountable.
The destroyer is part of North Korea’s nuclear navy with missile capability.
The capsized vessel is believed to be of the same class as the Choi Hyun-ho, a nuclear-capable destroyer that Kim unveiled last month.
That warship, built in just over 400 days, was praised by regime leaders as a powerful addition to North Korea’s arsenal.
The vessel was designed to carry a range of weaponry, including nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, with a focus on expanding preemptive strike capabilities.
“This ship will extend our operational range and preemptive deterrence,” Kim said during the April ceremony.
Kim attended with his daughter, sparking succession speculation
Kim was accompanied by his teenage daughter, **Kim Ju Ae**, during both launch events. She has been increasingly referred to in state media as a “great person of guidance,” and analysts see her as a likely **successor to the North Korean leader**.
Her presence at these key military unveilings signals her growing role in the regime’s future.
The failed launch comes amid rising tensions as Kim denounces U.S.–South Korea military cooperation and vows a strong response.
The launch disaster unfolded as Kim continues to condemn expanding U.S.–South Korean military drills. He accused Washington and Seoul of preparing for war, vowing that North Korea would “respond decisively to this geopolitical crisis.”
South Korea’s military has not commented on the failed launch or warship. Observers say Pyongyang’s failure weakens its message amid rising tensions.