North Korea has launched an investigation into an incident that occurred during the unveiling of a new warship, with state media reporting that the damage is “not serious.” The accident, described by North Korean officials as a “serious” mishap, took place during a launch ceremony on Wednesday for a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer. Reports indicate that certain sections at the bottom of the vessel were crushed, prompting leader Kim Jong Un to label the incident a “criminal act.”
According to South Korea’s military assessments, which involved both US and Seoul’s intelligence, the attempt to launch the destroyer via a side-launch method was unsuccessful, leaving the ship listing in the water. In contrast, North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed on Friday that underwater and internal inspections revealed “no holes made at the warship’s bottom.” The report further detailed that while the hull’s starboard side was scratched, only a limited amount of seawater had entered the stern through a rescue channel.
Despite the assessments, KCNA stated that it is imperative to identify the cause of the accident. The day prior, North Korea pointed to “inexperienced command and operational carelessness” as the reasons for the failed launch, a statement echoed by Kim who attributed the mishap to “absolute carelessness.”
In the wake of the accident, Hong Kil Ho, the shipyard manager in Chongjin where the launch occurred, was summoned for questioning by law enforcement. Experts believe restoring the ship’s balance will require two to three days of pumping seawater from the flooded compartments, with an estimated ten days needed to fix the structural issues on the destroyer’s side.
The warship is thought to be similarly equipped to the Choe Hyon, another 5,000-ton destroyer North Korea revealed last month. This previous vessel was claimed to be armed with “the most powerful weapons,” with intentions to enter operational service early next year. Additionally, South Korea’s military has speculated that Choe Hyon may have been developed with Russian support, potentially as part of an exchange involving North Korea sending thousands of troops to aid Moscow in its conflict in Ukraine. Analysts suggest that the warship involved in Wednesday’s accident could also have been built with assistance from Russia.
