North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently attended the launching ceremony of a new destroyer, where a significant accident occurred. He has defined the incident as an 'absolutely intolerable criminal act' and is demanding that relevant parties complete repairs before the important Workers' Party meeting in June.

According to a report from Reuters citing North Korean state media, the Korean Central News Agency, the 5000-ton destroyer experienced a tilt during its launching at the port of Chongjin in northeastern North Korea due to 'unstable center of gravity', causing damage to the hull. However, the report did not specify if there were any casualties.

Kim criticized the incident as being caused by 'extreme negligence, irresponsible attitudes, and unscientific empiricism', stating that it not only tarnished the dignity of the state but was also a 'political incident' related to national authority, which must be remedied 'immediately and thoroughly'. This is not just a practical problem but a major challenge to the country's status.

A spokesman for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lee Sung-jun, stated in a press conference that South Korean and U.S. intelligence had already grasped relevant dynamics beforehand. The South Korean military indicated that the destroyer was floating in a 'capsized state' after the incident.

Later that day, South Korean military detected North Korea launching several cruise missiles from an area south of Chongjin port, but did not disclose the specific types or flight distances. Analysts pointed out that North Korea has previously faced failures involving space launch vehicles and other civilian disasters, which were often used to emphasize the critical role of the leadership and Workers' Party in 'rectifying issues' to bolster the regime's image.

According to a report from the U.S. think tank, 38 North, this latest destroyer was launched using a 'side launch' method as the shipyard lacked the inclined platform that allows vessels to slide into the water from the stern, resulting in the uncommon lateral launch method. Commercial satellite imagery showed that a day before the accident, the destroyer was docked with support vessels nearby and missile launch tubes clearly visible. It is understood that this 5000-ton class destroyer launched by North Korea this year is the country's largest warship to date, capable of carrying and launching multiple missiles and represents an important part of Kim Jong Un's expansion of naval strength.