As North Korea attempts to flex its naval might, unforeseen mishaps question the reliability of its military advancements.
At a Glance
- On May 21, 2025, North Korea launched the second Choe Hyon-class destroyer, capsizing and damaging the vessel.
- State media attributed the failure to “inexperienced command and operational carelessness.”
- The launch disrupted plans for a blue-water navy and called construction practices into question.
- Kim Jong-un ordered an investigation and labeled the incident a “criminal act.”
- Satellite imagery showed attempts to salvage the capsize vessel, now reportedly moored at the pier.
Launch Failure Details
North Korea’s attempt to launch a new Choe Hyon-class guided missile destroyer on May 21, 2025, turned into an unexpected disaster. Upon launch, the 5,511-ton, 144-meter warship capsized, causing significant damage. Reports indicate that the Hambuk Shipyard in Chongjin was an unusual choice for this undertaking, given its specialization in cargo and fishing vessels, lacking advanced expertise in warship manufacturing.
The aftermath was recorded by satellite imagery the next day, showing the destroyer’s stern swung into the harbor due to wheeled units sliding into the water, while its bow remained on the slipway. North Korean military’s ambitions and Kim Jong-un’s plans to develop a credible naval power met an embarrassing setback. The destroyer remains impaired, although state media later claimed its repair completion, as the vessel remains moored back.
Reactions and Investigations
The response from North Korea’s leadership has been severe. Kim Jong-un expressed his dissatisfaction, labeling the incident as a “criminal act” resulting from irresponsibility and a lack of scientific approach. These measures hint at underlying organizational and technological deficiencies within the North Korean military machinery.
“criminal act caused by sheer callousness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism, which should never occur and could not be tolerated.” – Jong Un.
Kim has ordered a full investigation for corrective measures at an upcoming Party Central Committee meeting. The incident’s ramifications extend beyond immediate naval ambitions, posing significant challenges to North Korea’s future plans to enhance its military technology.
Implications for North Korean Military
The failed launch undeniably tarnishes North Korea’s ambitious plans to broaden its naval reach. The disheartening outcome raises concerns about both the strategic readiness and the technological capabilities required for advanced naval warfare. The Hambuk Shipyard’s lack of expertise in manufacturing sophisticated warships is now under severe scrutiny and reflects broader issues within North Korea’s defense sector.
“He seriously warned that the errors caused by the irresponsibility of the relevant officials of the Munitions Industry Department of the WPK Central Committee, the Mechanical Institute of the State Academy of Sciences, Kim Chaek University of Technology, the Central Ship Design Institute and other relevant units and the Chongjin Shipyard responsible for the accident that lowered the dignity and self-respect of our state in a moment would have to be dealt with at the plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee to be convened next month, and censured them for the fault.” – Rodong Sinmun.
This debacle not only delayed the operational deployment of the destroyer but also cast doubt on the competence of North Korean military enterprise. With one official already arrested for the fiasco, Kim Jong-un’s call for accountability signals a potential shake-up aimed at restoring the prowess of North Korea’s naval ambitions.
