North Korea’s new warship damaged in launch failure

North Korea’s second naval destroyer sustained damage during a failed launch attempt this week, state media reported on Thursday.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the launch failure, caused by “inexperienced command and operational carelessness,” resulted in parts of the hull being crushed and the vessel’s balance disrupted.

Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the event, labelled the incident a “criminal act” and blamed multiple state institutions, including the Munitions Industry Department and Kim Chaek University of Technology, for the failure.

He vowed that those responsible would face consequences at the upcoming plenary session of the Workers’ Party.

In a separate development, South Korea’s military reported that North Korea launched multiple unidentified cruise missiles towards the East Sea on the same day, further escalating tensions in the region.

The mishap occurred during a “side-launch” attempt of the destroyer, a method now considered obsolete by South Korea’s military.

Experts believe the vessel may have been designed similarly to the Choe Hyon, North Korea’s first newly constructed destroyer, unveiled in April.

The failed launch has raised questions about North Korea’s capacity to scale its naval operations.

Analysts also speculate that the vessel could have been developed with assistance from Russia, as the proximity of Chongjin to Russia’s Vladivostok port raises concerns about potential collaboration.

Kim Jong Un has ordered the rapid restoration of the warship, setting a tight deadline before the Workers’ Party plenary session in June, although experts suggest that the damage may take months to repair.

North Korea’s navy, often viewed as underdeveloped, faces further scrutiny regarding the functionality of its new warships.

The incident has prompted the formation of an investigation group, with senior officials potentially facing disciplinary action.