Serious accident during destroyer launch… Kim Jong Un: “An unacceptable crime”
Kim Jong Un presided over the 30th enlarged meeting of the 8th Secretariat on May 27. [Image: KCNA]
Kim Jong Un witnessed a major accident May 21 during the botched launch of a newly built 5,000-ton-class destroyer.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that a “serious accident occurred during the launch process,” at the Chongjin Shipyard.
“Due to inexperienced command and careless operation, the parallel alignment of the bogie movement was not ensured, resulting in the aft portion of the vessel detaching first during the launch incline and becoming grounded,” the KCNA report said. “Partial rupture of the underwater hull sections disrupted the ship’s balance, and the bow failed to detach from the platform.”
Having witnessed the entire accident, Kim Jong Un was quoted as saying, “This is a serious, major accident and criminal act that could neither possibly happen nor be tolerated. It was caused purely by carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.”
“Swift restoration of the destroyer is not merely a practical task but a political issue directly tied to the authority of the state,” Kim said. “It must be completed unconditionally before the June plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee.”
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party has convened the 12th plenary session of the 8th Central Committee in late June to review the achievements of the first half of the year and plan for the second half.
Sewon is the North Korean-born founder and CEO of NK Times, a Seoul-based media outlet focused on North Korea. Drawing on his personal experience living there, he strives for transparency and accuracy in reporting, working to inform readers worldwide about the realities of North Korea.
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