North Korea Investigates Warship Launch Disaster: Kim Jong Un's Stern Response

North Korea Investigates Warship Launch Accident: Kim Jong Un Calls Incident a 'Criminal Act' A North Korean warship suffered significant damage during its launch ceremony on May 21, 2025, according to satellite imagery and state media reports. The incident, which occurred at an undisclosed location in North Korea, has prompted a full-scale investigation by the North Korean government. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the accident, described it as a "serious accident" and a "criminal act that could not be tolerated." State media reports indicate the investigation is focusing on alleged negligence and inexperience in handling the launch. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but images show significant damage to the vessel's bottom. Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, commented on the incident. "The reason for using side-launching is that it allows for launching even in extremely tight spaces. However, as warships become larger, it becomes increasingly difficult to recover buoyancy using stern launching methods, which is why side-launching is often employed." The incident underscores the challenges faced by North Korea in its naval development. The public exposure of this accident is likely to be deeply embarrassing for the North Korean regime. It is expected that North Korea will attempt to showcase the launch of another Choe Hyon-class warship later this year to demonstrate its military capabilities.