Overview

• The 5,000-ton destroyer 'Choe Hyon' suffered significant hull damage during its official launch in Chongjin on May 22, 2025, due to operational errors.
• Kim Jong Un, who attended the ceremony, labeled the failure a 'criminal act' caused by negligence and vowed consequences for those responsible.
• North Korean state media, in a rare admission of failure, attributed the accident to inexperienced commanders and operational mismanagement.
• The damaged destroyer, reportedly capable of carrying tactical nuclear missiles, is set to undergo urgent repairs under Kim's direct orders.
• The incident underscores North Korea's dual focus on military modernization and strict internal accountability as regional tensions escalate.