An extraordinary event has occurred in North Korea, which has drawn the attention of the entire world and caused serious concern among high-ranking officials of the regime
During the official launching ceremony of the new military destroyer at the Chonjin shipbuilding yard on May 21, an incident involving damage to the vessel took place, leading to widespread resonance and deep discussions within North Korea’s leadership. According to official reports, the country’s leader Kim Jong-un was present at the ceremony and oversaw all stages of the ship’s launch. However, during this important and celebratory process, an unforeseen accident occurred. Preliminary information suggests that the cause of the incident was insufficient preparation and negligence on the part of those responsible for organizing the launch, as well as improper handling of technical equipment. Specifically, reports note that due to oversight and errors in organizing the movement of roller carts, which facilitated the smooth descent of the ship from the slipway, a misalignment occurred, causing the stern of the ship—expected to displace approximately 5,000 tons—to run aground prematurely from the track. As a result, the stern of the destroyer, which was to be launched with a displacement of about 5,000 tons, ran aground, and the hull sustained significant damage. In particular, breaches were found in the bottom, compromising the structural integrity of the vessel and threatening its further use. Reports indicate that cracks and breaches appeared in certain sections of the hull, leading to a loss of stability, and the ship’s bow was unable to leave the slipway—an extremely serious problem for the country’s military program given the project’s importance and novelty. This incident sharply contrasted with Kim Jong-un’s perception, as sources indicate he personally observed all stages of the incident and issued strict and sharp condemnation. Official statements emphasize that the country’s leader called this accident "incredible and utterly unacceptable" and condemned it as a "serious and grave crime," caused by “simple negligence, irresponsibility, and unscientific approaches.” In his assessment, he highlighted that the incident resulted from a lack of professionalism, carelessness, and unprofessional work by those responsible for this significant national project. It is reported that due to this catastrophic mistake, the country's leadership has already begun preparing for major internal political measures. According to official information, in June, a Plenum of the Central Committee of the ruling party is scheduled to convene, where issues related to personnel and managerial errors leading to this failure will be discussed. The agenda will focus on holding accountable those high-ranking officials accused of negligence and unprofessionalism that contributed to the crisis. Particular attention will be paid to the discrediting of the country’s authority on the international stage, the reduction of its military prestige, and the stirring of public discontent among the military and the ruling elite. Regarding further actions, Kim Jong-un has issued a stern directive to carefully consider all possible measures for the rapid restoration of the damaged destroyer. He demands that repair and recovery work be completed as quickly as possible, no later than the June plenary session, to avoid loss of face and authority of the regime, as well as to preserve the country’s military potential. It is known that during times of increased regional tension, demonstrating strength and capability is especially important, so the events surrounding this accident should serve as both a signal for internal leadership and a warning to potential opponents. Amid these developments, rumors and speculations are circulating in North Korea about the possibility of deeper internal restructuring, including the resignation of several officials and increased control over the military-industrial complex. At the same time, the extraordinary situation surrounding the new destroyer has served as an additional reminder of the high internal risks associated with the construction and deployment of military ships in an authoritarian state, where any mistake can have broad political and strategic consequences.