In a recent display of military prowess gone awry, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un found himself in a state of vexation following the unsuccessful launch of a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer.
The event, which took place at the northeastern port of Chongjin, was intended to showcase the communist nation's military progress. However, it ended in a spectacle of embarrassment for Kim as the ship slid off a ramp and became lodged, according to reports from state media.
The flatcar, which was supposed to move in tandem with the ship, failed to do so, causing the vessel to lose balance. This resulted in significant damage to the ship's bottom, as reported by the North Korean news agency, KCNA.
The stern of the ship slid down the launch slipway, while the bow section remained on the ramp. The full extent of the damage remains unknown, and it is unclear whether there were any casualties.
As reported by Fox News, North Korea refrained from releasing photos from the scene. However, satellite imagery released by South Korea on Thursday suggested that the ship was lying on its side in the water following the botched launch.
Kim, who was present at the ceremony, pointed fingers at military officials, scientists, and shipyard operators, blaming them for a "serious accident and criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism."
He further emphasized that the "irresponsibility of the relevant officials" would be scrutinized at a ruling Workers Party meeting scheduled for late June. Kim insisted on the restoration of the destroyer before the meeting, stating that it was directly related to the state's prestige and should be completed unconditionally.
Moon Keun-sik, a navy expert at Seouls Hanyang University, suggested that despite the humiliation, Kim was keen on publicizing the mishap. "It's a shameful thing, but the reason why North Korea disclosed the incident is it wants to show it's speeding up the modernization of its navy forces and expresses its confidence that it can eventually build," he told The Associated Press. Moon speculated that the incident likely occurred due to North Korean workers' unfamiliarity with such a large warship and the haste to launch it.
This was the second naval destroyer launched by the secretive nation within a month. Kim had previously attended the successful launch of another 5,000-ton destroyer from Nampo, a port on North Korea's west coast. He later observed missiles being fired from the ship, which experts believe was built using Russian technology. Both ships are believed to be designed to carry weapons systems, including nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.
Kim has justified the arms buildup as a response to perceived threats from the U.S. and South Korea, who have been escalating joint military exercises in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear program. In March, Kim supervised tests of newly developed AI-powered suicide drones and called for their increased production. He was seen walking with aides near what appeared to be an unmanned surveillance aircraft resembling the U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude surveillance aircraft.
Kim has emphasized the importance of unmanned control and AI capability in modern arms development. He was also seen approaching a large aircraft with four engines and a radar dome mounted on the fuselage. Analysts have previously reported that North Korea was converting the Russian-made Il-76 cargo aircraft for an early-warning role to supplement the North's existing land-based radar systems.
North Korea also disclosed this year that it has a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a weapons system that could pose a significant security threat to South Korea and the U.S.
In a surprising move, North Korea has dispatched between 11,000 and 15,000 military personnel to fight alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine, marking its first involvement in a large-scale conflict since the 1950-53 Korean War. The South Korean military estimated that around 4,700 of them have been killed or wounded.
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