North Korea's Destroyer Launch Ends in Major Mishap

During the launch of a new 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer at Chongjin Shipyard, a serious accident left the vessel partially capsized and unable to leave the shipway, with significant structural damage. Leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the event, condemned it as a 'criminal act' and an intolerable blow to national dignity, attributing the mishap to operational errors and what he called 'absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism' by military officials, scientists, and shipyard staff. Kim ordered urgent restoration of the ship before the June plenary meeting of the Workers' Party, framing the repair as a matter of political importance. Accountability for the incident is expected at the upcoming party meeting. The accident comes shortly after North Korea unveiled the advanced destroyer Choe Hyon, believed to feature sophisticated weapons systems and possibly Russian assistance. This incident represents a rare public admission of failure and a setback for North Korea's naval modernization efforts.