A serious accident occurred during the launch ceremony of a new warship, according to North Korea’s state media KCNA.

A serious accident occurred during the launch ceremony of a new warship, according to North Korea’s state media KCNA. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, visibly angered by the incident, described it as a “criminal act” and said it was “unacceptable.”

The approximately 5,000-ton destroyer warship capsized during its launch at the northeastern Chongjin Port, in the presence of Kim Jong Un. Parts of the ship’s hull were severely damaged in the process. The KCNA report did not mention any casualties.

Kim Jong Un stated, “This accident has disgraced the dignity and self-respect of our nation.” He ordered that the warship be reconstructed before the important Workers' Party conference scheduled for June.

He added, “This is not just a technical issue; it is a political issue directly tied to state authority.”

South Korea’s military reported that after the accident, the warship was seen tilted to one side in the water. A spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lee Seong-jun, said that South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies had been monitoring activity related to the warship for some time.

Shortly after the incident, North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles toward the south, according to the South Korean military. However, further details about the missiles were not disclosed.

Previously, in April, a similar destroyer warship had been launched in the presence of Kim Jong Un at the Nampo shipyard on the country’s western coast.

Experts note that North Korea often uses accidents to highlight the leadership and importance of the ruling party. For example, failures in space missions or civil disasters are later presented as challenges successfully handled by the ruling Workers' Party.

The 5,000-ton destroyers launched this year are reportedly the largest warships ever built by North Korea. They are part of Kim Jong Un’s campaign to enhance naval power, featuring ships capable of launching and carrying multiple missiles.

According to a report by the U.S.-based research organization 38 North, this latest warship was launched using a side-launching technique—a first for North Korea.
“Due to the likely lack of slope in the slipway where the ship was constructed, this alternative method was probably used,” said 38 North.

Satellite images taken the day before the launch showed the warship ready in the slipway, with support vessels nearby and missile tubes exposed.

Cheong Seong-chang, an analyst at the Sejong Institute in Seoul, remarked,
“The rapid disclosure of this incident is surprising. It reflects Kim Jong Un’s governing style—where instead of allowing rumors to spread, he opts for transparency and tighter control over officials.”