Kim Jong-un Vents Fury After Botched Launch of North Korean Destroyer

Asia Pacific|Kim Jong-un Vents Fury After Botched Launch of North Korean Destroyer

North Korea’s attempt to launch its second navy destroyer in a month has failed, dealing a huge embarrassment for its leader, Kim Jong-un, who called it a criminal act and indicated he would punish those responsible.

A “serious accident” occurred on Wednesday when North Korea tried to launch a new 5,000-ton destroyer in Chongjin, a port city on its northeastern coast, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday. While Mr. Kim was watching, the ship lost balance when its stern slid down the launch slipway while its bow section failed to leave the ramp, it said. The accident tore holes in the ship’s hull, it added.

North Korea did not release photos from the scene. It also did not report whether there were any casualties. South Korean military officials, who were monitoring the ship’s launch with the help of satellite images, said on Thursday that the ship was lying on its side in the water after the failed launch.

The botched launch was particularly painful for Mr. Kim, who has touted his country’s military buildup, including its growing nuclear arsenal, as his biggest achievement. Building more warships ​to replace its decrepit Soviet-era fleet has been a key part of ​his program.

Mr. Kim made a stern assessment of the accident, saying that it was a criminal act caused by carelessness, irresponsibility and “unscientific empiricism” that should never occur and could not be tolerated, the North Korean news agency said.

Mr. Kim censured the officials responsible for the accident which “lowered the dignity and self-respect” of his country, warning that their errors would be dealt with in a ruling Workers’ Party meeting next month, it said. He ordered that the destroyer should be restored by the June party meeting, calling the matter a “political issue directly related to the prestige of the state.”