North Korean Warship Launch Ends in Catastrophe Before Kim Jong-un
A warship launch in North Korea ended in disaster when the vessel sank due to a serious launch sequence failure while Kim Jong-un looked on. The supreme leader criticized the incident as a ‘serious accident’ and warned that those responsible would face consequences, emphasizing the importance of quickly restoring the ship to preserve national pride.
A lavish launch ceremony for a new North Korean warship quickly took a disastrous turn on May 21, as the Korean Central News Agency reported. Kim Jong-un was present at the Cheongjin Shipyard to unveil the 5,000-ton vessel when the event collapsed into chaos due to a significant mishap during the launching process.
The initial excitement of the launch turned into trepidation when officials failed to synchronize crucial aspects of the launch sequence. The stern sled malfunctioned and released prematurely, creating a mess as the bow section remained trapped, severely perturbing the ship’s balance, which resulted in significant hull damage and a halt to the entire operation.
As Kim watched the embarrassing blunder unfold, he did not shy away from expressing his disapproval. In a stern address, he denounced the incident as a “serious accident that could not have happened, could not be tolerated,” labeling it a “criminal act due to pure carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.”
The supreme leader was particularly harsh regarding the repercussions, indicating that those held responsible—including key officials from several high-profile institutions—would face significant consequences. They would be expected to answer at the upcoming plenary meeting of the ruling party’s Central Committee next month.
Kim Jong-un emphasized that restoring the damaged destroyer was not merely a repair task but a matter of national pride. He stated,
“Urgent restoration of the destroyer is not a simple practical issue but a political issue directly related to the authority of the state.” He called for rapid action and devotion from the workers at Chongjin and Rajin Shipyards to address the situation, underscoring the need for patriotic commitment to recover from this setback.
Moreover, Kim issued “important instructions” pertaining to the investigation of the incident, signaling the regime’s seriousness in dealing with this embarrassing failure. All eyes will now be on the actions taken in the wake of this incident, highlighting the pressures the North Korean leadership faces in terms of both military pride and public perception.
The launch of a North Korean warship intended to showcase national military advancement devolved into a public embarrassment for Kim Jong-un. The event resulted in damage to the vessel, a swift rebuke from the leader, and serious implications for officials involved. With the upcoming plenary meeting on the horizon, the regime is experiencing heightened pressure to restore both the ship and its national dignity.
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
