World
North Korea reports “serious” accident involving newly built destroyer

North Korea has reported a serious accident during the launch of a newly built 5,000-ton destroyer at a shipyard, during a ceremony attended by Kim Jong Un, according to state media.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Chongjin Shipyard. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the warship sustained structural damage after a technical failure in the launch sequence caused the stern to slide prematurely and become stranded, while the bow failed to move off the shipway.
Some sections of the warship’s bottom were crushed, causing a loss of balance that prevented a full launch, according to KCNA, which did not say whether there were any casualties.
Kim Jong Un described the incident as a “serious accident and criminal act” caused by “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism,” and adding that it “could not be tolerated.”
Officials from the Munitions Industry Department, Kim Chaek University of Technology, the State Academy of Sciences, and the Chongjin Shipyard were specifically named as culprits in the statement, which said they would be “dealt with” at the June plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Committee.
Kim called the immediate restoration of the destroyer a political priority, saying it must be completed “unconditionally” before the plenary session. He added that the incident damaged the “dignity and self-respect” of the state.
North Korea rarely discloses accidents or operational failures. Some of the few publicly acknowledged incidents include a 2014 apology for an apartment building collapse in Pyongyang, the 2013 admission of fatalities in a warship sinking, and a 2015 report that 14 pilots died in the failed 2009 launch of a satellite.
State media did not identify the warship involved in the accident.
North Korea’s latest naval destroyer has been significantly damaged prior to its launch. In a rare acknowledgment, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported yesterday an incident occurred with a new destroyer in Chongjin, which was close to being launched. pic.twitter.com/0PfuqehYnF
— Open Source Centre (@osc_london) May 22, 2025

-
Legal1 week ago
3 killed after gunman on boat opens fire at Southport, NC restaurant
-
US News1 week ago
At least 10 people shot at Mormon Church in Michigan, others missing
-
Legal1 week ago
Amber Alert: Colt and Bradley Brussel missing from Arkansas, may be in Florida
-
Legal5 days ago
All clear after suspicious device reported at Utah State University
-
Legal1 week ago
Suspect arrested after casino shooting in Eagle Pass, Texas leaves 2 dead, 5 injured
-
Legal1 week ago
Lockdown at Grove City College in Pennsylvania; no active threat reported
-
World5 days ago
Plane’s front landing gear collapses in emergency landing in Dominican Republic
-
US News1 week ago
Stowaway found dead in plane’s landing gear at North Carolina airport