A botched warship launch in North Korea has ended in a major embarrassment for the regime, with three top shipyard officials arrested and leader Kim Jong-Un branding the incident a “criminal act” that damaged the country’s so-called dignity.
The failed launch involved a 5,000 tonne destroyer that had been promoted by Pyongyang as a key symbol of its military strength. The vessel, however, did not live up to the regime’s grand claims. Instead of gliding into the water during its launch ceremony last Wednesday in the port city of Chongjin, it ended up damaged, listing, and partially submerged in the shipyard. The stern of the warship slipped into the water while the bow remained on the shipway, according to satellite images, which showed the vessel draped in blue tarpaulin in an apparent attempt to cover up the disaster.
North Korean state media KCNA confirmed that three senior officials had been detained in connection with the incident. Chief Engineer Kang Jong Chol, workshop head Han Kyouong Hack, and deputy manager Kim Yong Hack are reportedly being held responsible for what the regime has labelled gross negligence. The country’s propaganda machine described the failure as a result of “absolute carelessness” and stated that the individuals involved “can never evade responsibility for the crime.”
Kim Jong-Un reportedly witnessed the entire fiasco in person and is said to have erupted in fury. Sources say the North Korean dictator ordered the damaged ship to be fully restored within a month, with repairs already underway under strict supervision. According to insiders, the arrests form part of a wider effort by Kim to identify scapegoats for the blunder in what may turn into another high stakes purge.
Despite the clear images of the crippled vessel, North Korean media have attempted to downplay the incident. KCNA claimed that an internal inspection found no significant damage to the bottom of the destroyer, describing the situation as “not serious.” However, South Korea’s military, along with United States intelligence, has confirmed that the launch was a failure and that the ship had been left severely crippled.
The manager of the Chongjin shipyard, Hong Kilho, has also been summoned by authorities and could face similar punishment, suggesting that further detentions may follow. Observers say the spectacle has not only humiliated the regime internationally but also deepened paranoia within its ranks.
The costly failure, in both material and propaganda terms, stands in stark contrast to the grandiose image North Korea tries to project to the world.
