23.05.2025 (12:01 PM)

North Korea’s second destroyer launch this week was hit by an accident, state media reported on May 22.

The incident was a disappointment for leader Kim Jong-un, who is busy modernizing his navy.

North Korea rarely admits military failures, and analysts say the failure to launch a ship shows Kim’s concern about the navy’s modernization plans.

The newly built 5,000-ton destroyer fell off its loading platform at a ceremony in the port of Chungjin on May 21, causing a hole in the ship’s belly, the state-run KCNA news agency reported.

KCNA did not provide details on the cause of the incident, the extent of the damage or whether anyone was injured.

Kim, who attended the launching ceremony, blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard officials for the serious accident, saying it was a criminal act of negligence, irresponsibility and unscientific conduct, KCNA reported.

Kim will convene a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party at the end of June to address their irresponsible mistakes.

“It is shameful. But the reason for making such a public announcement is to show that North Korea is rapidly modernizing its navy,” said Moon Kwang-sik, a naval expert at South Korea’s Hanyang University.