What's happened
On May 21, 2025, North Korea's attempt to launch a new 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer at Chongjin shipyard failed when the vessel capsized during a sideways launch. The ship partially submerged and was covered with blue tarps. Kim Jong Un called the incident a "criminal act" and ordered rapid repairs. Several shipyard officials were detained amid an ongoing investigation.
What's behind the headline?
Technical and Political Pressures Behind the Failure
The failed launch of North Korea's second Choe Hyon-class destroyer reveals critical gaps in the country's naval shipbuilding capabilities. The sideways launch method, never before used by North Korea for warships, demands precise balancing and expertise absent at the Chongjin shipyard, which traditionally builds smaller vessels. This technical inexperience, combined with political pressure from Kim Jong Un to quickly showcase naval modernization, created conditions ripe for failure.
Symbolism and Domestic Messaging
Kim's public condemnation of the incident as a "criminal act" and the swift detention of senior shipyard officials serve dual purposes: assigning blame and reinforcing discipline within the military-industrial complex. The unusually transparent state media coverage signals Kim's intent to demonstrate accountability and deter negligence, while also managing the domestic narrative around a significant military setback.
Strategic Implications
The Choe Hyon-class destroyers are central to Kim's ambition to develop a blue-water navy capable of projecting power beyond coastal waters, potentially equipped with nuclear-capable missiles. The failure delays this strategic goal and undermines North Korea's naval prestige, especially following South Korea's recent naval drills showcasing advanced capabilities.
Forecast and Consequences
Despite North Korea's claims of limited damage and a 10-day repair timeline, experts doubt the vessel will enter service soon, if at all. The use of aerostat balloons to stabilize the ship during repairs indicates improvisation rather than standard salvage procedures. This incident will likely prompt a reassessment of shipbuilding methods and may slow North Korea's naval expansion plans. Internationally, it highlights the limits of Pyongyang's military-industrial capacity amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
What the papers say
The New York Times' Choe Sang-Hun provides detailed technical context, noting the unprecedented sideways launch and the Chongjin shipyard's lack of experience with large warships: "Launching big ships sideways requires delicate balancing work," said retired South Korean Navy captain Choi Il. The Times also highlights political pressure from Kim Jong Un to expedite the launch, which may have led to operational shortcuts.
Business Insider UK’s Mia Jankowicz emphasizes the political fallout, quoting analyst Joseph S. Bermudez: "There's a very good chance they'd be executed," reflecting the severity of Kim's response. The article notes the unusual speed and openness of state media in naming officials responsible, underscoring Kim's anger.
NY Post’s Katherine Donlevy focuses on the repair efforts, describing the use of balloons to prevent further flooding: "It looks like what appear to be balloons have been installed not to refloat the ship, but to prevent the ship from further flooding," according to Rep. Yu Yong-weon. This technical improvisation suggests the damage is significant.
The Guardian adds geopolitical context, linking the ship's construction to possible Russian assistance and North Korea's broader military support to Moscow in Ukraine, which may have influenced the ship's design and capabilities.
Together, these sources paint a picture of a high-profile failure with technical, political, and strategic dimensions, revealing both North Korea's ambitions and its current limitations.
How we got here
North Korea has been modernizing its navy to counter perceived US-led threats, launching its first 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer in April 2025. The second destroyer, built at Chongjin shipyard—primarily experienced in smaller vessels—was launched sideways for the first time, a method requiring delicate balance. The failed launch exposed technical and operational shortcomings under political pressure.
Go deeper
- What caused the destroyer to capsize during launch?
- Who has been held responsible for the failure?
- How does this affect North Korea's naval ambitions?
Common question
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What Happened During North Korea's Destroyer Launch?
On May 22, 2025, North Korea's attempt to launch a new 5,000-ton destroyer ended in failure, raising questions about the country's military ambitions and internal politics. This incident has significant implications for Kim Jong Un's strategy and U.S.-North Korea relations. Below, we explore the details of the launch failure and its broader impact.
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What Caused the Failure of North Korea's Destroyer Launch?
North Korea's recent attempt to launch a new destroyer ended in disaster, raising questions about the implications for Kim Jong Un's leadership and military strategy. This incident not only highlights operational challenges but also reflects on the broader context of North Korea's military ambitions. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this event.
More on these topics
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Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Chŏngjin is the capital of North Korea's North Hamgyong Province and the country's third largest city. It is sometimes called the City of Iron.
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The Korean Central News Agency is the state news agency of North Korea. The agency portrays the views of the North Korean government for both domestic and foreign consumption. It was established on December 5, 1946 and now features internet coverage.
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The Center for Strategic and International Studies is a think tank based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. CSIS was founded as the "Center for Strategic and International Studies" of Georgetown University in 1962.