North Korean naval disaster: Kim Jong Un slams launch mishap
On May 22, 2025, an accident occurred during the launch of a Type 74 destroyer for the North Korean navy. The ship sustained damage, prompting Kim Jong Un to comment on the issue, marking the first time such a reaction has been documented.
During the launch, the stern section of the hull fell onto the port's concrete superstructure, crushing the bottom and affecting the ship's balance. The event was witnessed by Kim Jong Un himself and a large crowd of people associated with the regime.
Kim quickly labeled the accident as a crime in the media, sparking an investigation to identify those responsible for the negligence. The North Korean state news agency (KCNA) also promptly commented on the incident.
"Due to inexperienced command and operational carelessness, the parallel movement of the bogies could not be guaranteed, resulting in the launching sled in the stern detaching first and causing the ship to capsize. The ship’s balance was destroyed due to a rupture in the hull in some sections, and the bow section was unable to detach from the keel."
Furthermore, the ship is to be repaired within a month, although, judging from available satellite images of the incident and descriptions of the damage according to KCNA, it will likely take much longer. This is very unusual for North Korea, which has thus far attempted to conceal all accidents.
The Choe Hyon ship — North Korean imitation of AEGIS system destroyers
The damaged ship is the second unit of Type 74, also known as the Choe Hyon-class ships. These destroyers have a displacement of 5,000 tons, a length of about 459 feet, and a width of 52 feet based on satellite image analysis.
The ships of the DPRK represent an attempt to copy American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, relying mainly on Russian technology received through very generous military assistance.
The armament of the North Korean units is expected to include a bow gun likely sized at 5 inches or 5.1 inches, vertical launch systems (74 cells of various sizes) designed for anti-aircraft, cruise, or anti-ship missiles.
Additionally, they have two six-barrel AK-630 point defense systems guided by radar, two torpedo launchers, four anti-tank guided missile launchers Bulsae, and one Pantsir-M system. The ship is also equipped with radars on the superstructure.
