Overview

• A new 5,000-ton warship in North Korea capsized during its launch on May 22, 2025, causing significant damage to the ship's hull.
• Kim Jong Un, present at the launch, condemned the incident as a 'criminal act' and a 'national embarrassment,' blaming negligence and irresponsibility.
• Several shipyard workers, including the chief engineer, have been arrested as part of the investigation into the mishap.
• Kim has mandated that the ship be repaired before a crucial Workers' Party meeting in June, framing the restoration as a matter of state authority and political urgency.
• Satellite images show the ship lying on its side, partially submerged and covered with tarps, while foreign experts question the feasibility of completing repairs within the ten-day timeframe set by North Korea.