**In a rare public acknowledgment of failure, Kim Jong Un vows to restore the damaged vessel and hold responsible parties accountable for the blunder that tarnished the nation's dignity.**
**Kim Jong Un Criticizes 'Serious Accident' in Warship Launch**
**Kim Jong Un Criticizes 'Serious Accident' in Warship Launch**
**North Korean leader expresses outrage over mishap during warship debut, signaling accountability measures ahead.**
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, condemned what he termed a "serious accident" that marred the launch of a new warship on Thursday. The incident reportedly left parts of the 5,000-ton destroyer's underside crushed, leading to an unstable balance during the launch, as per state media reports.
Kim described the blunder as a "criminal act" that could not be overlooked, emphasizing its impact on the nation's dignity and pride. Present at the launch in Chongjin, a port city in the east, he has mandated the repair of the vessel ahead of a significant party meeting set for June. Furthermore, he indicated that those implicated in designing the ship will face accountability, stating that the accident indicated "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism."
The official reports did not mention any injuries or casualties resulting from the mishap. Kim's remarks highlighted a disciplinary approach, as he mentioned that the "irresponsible errors" would be addressed in a plenary meeting next month. Although specific repercussions remain unclear, there is widespread public awareness of North Korea's harsh punitive measures for perceived failures; activists often point out that individuals may face imprisonment for minor offenses.
Public acknowledgment of local accidents is not common for North Korea. Nevertheless, in a similar vein last November, the state referred to a past incident involving a military satellite as a "gravest failure," blaming officials for the preparations prior to the explosion.
This latest incident follows closely on the heels of North Korea's unveiling of a new 5,000-ton destroyer, claimed to be capable of carrying more than 70 missiles. Kim previously hailed the warship as a "breakthrough" in the modernization of North Korea's naval capabilities, anticipating its deployment by early next year.
