North Korea‘s naval modernization ambitions faced a significant setback on May 18, 2025, when the country’s second-newest destroyer was severely damaged during a launch ceremony at Chongjin Shipyard. The events that transpired at the roundabout have garnered massive international attention. Kim Jong Un observed the crash in person and was reportedly upset about the incident’s impact on North Korea’s prestige and military strength.
The destroyer, which was expected to be equipped similarly to the Choe Hyon—North Korea’s first newly constructed destroyer in decades unveiled by Kim Jong Un in April 2025—sustained scratches along its starboard side. Preliminary assessments show, at least, that there were no hull breaches. Photos Kim Jong Un termed the mishap a “grave accident.” He cautioned that the incident could damage the burgeoning positive image of North Korea’s naval expansion, even if the damage was minimal.
Immediately following the incident, Kim Jong Un released a public statement. He promised to hold accountable those responsible for the “criminal act,” attributing the blame for the “absolute carelessness” and “irresponsibility” of several state institutions. His comments are a clear signal of their disappointment. They file passes of the hard-fought appropriation to cover their project, urgency and excitement.
Retired South Korean Admiral Kim Duk-ki underscored North Korea’s difficulty. When pressed by our group on the technical challenges he argued that the country likely lacks the infrastructure capacity to successfully launch and repair a 5,000-ton destroyer. He stated, “Dry dock is an expensive facility, and North Korea probably doesn’t have one… It’s easy to repair a ship in a dry dock after draining water, but they don’t have the facility.”
After all, Kim Jong Un has given a very short and unrealistic timeline for repairs. His immediate order is that the destroyer need to be fully restored ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party late June plenary meeting. As Business Insider reports, analysts say there’s no way they can hit that deadline. If the destroyer can be restored, it could take four to five months to do so. This delay casts doubt upon North Korea’s capability to push forward its plans of naval modernization.
The incident has highlighted some troubling gaps in North Korea’s naval infrastructure. It raises broader questions about the country’s ability to successfully scale its navy to a large, competitive size. In fact, experts had cautioned that a lack of due diligence in launch procedures could produce serious structural damage. Sal Mercogliano, a maritime analyst, noted, “If the ship does not move together, the stresses will tear the hull apart.” Similarly, Carl Schuster pointed out that improper handling could “warp the hull, induce cracks and (possibly) snap the keel depending on where the greatest stress falls.”
The obviously failed launch should bring some comfort as it’s a loud reminder of just how difficult these military ambitions from North Korea truly are. Kim Jong Un advocates accelerating the building of additional destroyers, cruisers, and frigates. Yet this major setback only serves to illuminate how difficult it will be to achieve these ambitious goals without the proper charging infrastructure and resources.
