Overview

• A newly built 5,000-ton destroyer in North Korea suffered severe damage during a side-launch at Chongjin, leaving it partially capsized.
• Kim Jong-un, who witnessed the incident, blamed 'carelessness' and 'unscientific empiricism' and called for an investigation into the failure.
• The destroyer, part of North Korea's naval modernization effort, is equipped with advanced missile systems and was unveiled as a key military asset.
• Kim has mandated the ship's restoration before the late June Workers' Party plenary, framing the issue as critical to national pride and state authority.
• Hours after reporting the accident, North Korea launched multiple cruise missiles, signaling its resolve to maintain military posturing.