In a recent mishap, North Korea's attempt to launch a new navy destroyer has resulted in severe embarrassment for Kim Jong-un, prompting him to take stern measures against those accountable.
Kim Jong-un's Outrage at North Korea's Failed Navy Destroyer Launch
Kim Jong-un's Outrage at North Korea's Failed Navy Destroyer Launch
Leader condemns botched launch as a "criminal act," vowing to hold accountable those responsible for the disaster.
North Korea's efforts to debut its second navy destroyer in a month met with failure this past Wednesday, leaving Kim Jong-un stewing in frustration. The incident, labelled as a "serious accident," occurred in Chongjin, where the vessel, while under Kim's watchful eye, lost its balance during launch. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the hull of the 5,000-ton destroyer suffered significant damage, with its bow failing to rise from the ramp as the stern slipped down into the water.
Photos of the mishap were notably absent from North Korean media, nor did they divulge any potential injuries. However, South Korean military intelligence, utilizing satellite technology, confirmed that the ship was left capsized on its side post-launch.
This debacle strikes a particularly painful chord for Kim, who has championed military enhancements, including an escalating nuclear program, as hallmarks of his leadership. Upgrading the country's naval capabilities has been central to Kim's vision, aiming to replace aging Soviet-era vessels.
In response to the failed launch, Kim took a hardline stance, declaring the incident a result of carelessness and “unscientific empiricism,” which he deemed intolerable. He reprimanded the officials who permitted such a lapse to occur, asserting it "lowered the dignity and self-respect” of North Korea. Kim has pledged that the situation will be addressed in an upcoming Workers’ Party meeting next month, emphasizing that the recovery of the destroyer stands as a “political issue directly related to the prestige of the state.” He has mandated the ship’s restoration prior to this assembly, further underlining the high stakes of this embarrassment for his regime.
Photos of the mishap were notably absent from North Korean media, nor did they divulge any potential injuries. However, South Korean military intelligence, utilizing satellite technology, confirmed that the ship was left capsized on its side post-launch.
This debacle strikes a particularly painful chord for Kim, who has championed military enhancements, including an escalating nuclear program, as hallmarks of his leadership. Upgrading the country's naval capabilities has been central to Kim's vision, aiming to replace aging Soviet-era vessels.
In response to the failed launch, Kim took a hardline stance, declaring the incident a result of carelessness and “unscientific empiricism,” which he deemed intolerable. He reprimanded the officials who permitted such a lapse to occur, asserting it "lowered the dignity and self-respect” of North Korea. Kim has pledged that the situation will be addressed in an upcoming Workers’ Party meeting next month, emphasizing that the recovery of the destroyer stands as a “political issue directly related to the prestige of the state.” He has mandated the ship’s restoration prior to this assembly, further underlining the high stakes of this embarrassment for his regime.
