Everything was set for the North Korean naval fleet to welcome its new destroyer, an imposing 5,000-ton warship that can be equipped with short-range tactical nuclear missiles and reportedly developed with assistance from Russia in exchange for the deployment of troops from Kim Jong-un's regime to support Vladimir Putin in his war against Ukraine, as indicated by the South Korean army.
Kim was present on Wednesday in the port city of Chongjin to flex military muscle with his new war toy. It was supposed to be the second destroyer he presented to the world in less than a month. But everything went wrong. During the ceremony, in front of the supreme leader, an accident while launching the ship caused it to capsize, resulting in serious damage to the hull.
A day after the incident, in a rare display of transparency from North Korean propaganda regarding negative news, the state agency KCNA reported on what happened and, most importantly, documented the dictator's immense anger.
"Kim Jong-un made a severe assessment, stating that it was a serious accident and a criminal act caused by absolute carelessness and irresponsibility, and that such a thing could not be tolerated," the information read, indicating that Kim had ordered the destroyer to be ready again before an important meeting of the ruling Workers' Party scheduled for next month.
"The accident has destroyed the dignity and self-respect of our State. Those responsible for the disaster will be dealt with at the plenary meeting of the party's central committee," Kim continued, while the state agency pointed out the "inexperience of the command and operational negligence" of the officials in charge of presenting the flagship vessel.
It was the South Korean intelligence services that revealed the ship was lying on its side in the water on Thursday. Additionally, almost simultaneously with Pyongyang announcing the news of the destroyer accident, Seoul reported that the North Koreans had launched "multiple cruise missiles" into the Sea of Japan.
A day before the ship's launch, the 38 North media, a prominent U.S.-based platform that monitors daily events in Pyongyang, published satellite images of the shipyard in Chongjin showing the destroyer positioned at the dock with more ships around it.
In April, North Korea unveiled its first major destroyer, named Choe Hyon, announcing that it was equipped with the "most powerful weapons" and would be operational starting in 2026.
North Korean media then released images of Kim inspecting the ship accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae, widely considered his successor. "I am infinitely honored to proclaim the birth of the first warship of a new generation, essential for developing the capacity to firmly defend our maritime sovereignty," Kim stated during that presentation.
Typically, the media spotlight turns to North Korea whenever it launches a ballistic projectile during the many tests the regime conducts to enhance its missile program. However, Kim has emphasized the need for modernization of its naval forces as South Korea and Japan, along with their Washington ally, have increased their joint maritime military exercises in the region.
A couple of months ago, North Korean media released images of Kim inspecting the first nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a weapon system weighing between 6,000 and 7,000 tons with the capacity to carry around a dozen missiles.
When news of the submarine surfaced, many analysts questioned whether a country as isolated, sanctioned, and impoverished as North Korea could have acquired the resources to build such a powerful weapon without technological assistance from its Moscow ally.