Kim Jong Un Blames 'Criminal Act' for North Korea Warship Launch Failure
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un condemns a launch failure of a new warship as a 'criminal act' and vows accountability for those responsible.
Overview
During a launch ceremony for a new 5,000-ton destroyer, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un condemned the incident as a 'criminal act' caused by carelessness. The ship was damaged when it tipped over, and Kim has ordered those responsible to be held accountable at an upcoming party meeting. This incident marks a rare admission of failure by the North Korean regime, which has been focusing on naval modernization. The damaged vessel is expected to be restored before the meeting, highlighting the political implications of the accident for the regime's image.
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Analysis
- The articles highlight Kim Jong Un's strong condemnation of a serious accident during a warship launch.
- There is a focus on accountability and the implications for North Korea's military ambitions.
- The tone varies from negative to neutral, reflecting the seriousness of the incident and its impact on leadership.
Articles (6)
Center (3)
"…Kim Jong Un said a "serious accident" affecting the launch of the country's newest warship on Wednesday "was a criminal act caused by pure carelessness.""
ABC News·1M·"…Kim attributed Thursday's accident to 'absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism'."
BBC News·1M·"…The ship accident Wednesday at the northeastern port of Chongjin is a blow to Kim, who has stressed the importance of such destroyers for advancing North Korea’s military capabilities."
NBC News·1M·FAQ
The failure was caused by the warship becoming stuck on its launching sled and tipping over due to inexperienced command and operational carelessness, which led to some sections of the ship's bottom being crushed.
Kim Jong Un condemned the launch failure as a 'criminal act' caused by carelessness and irresponsibility, ordered stern accountability for those responsible, and vowed that the matter would be dealt with at an upcoming Party Central Committee meeting.
The failure is a rare admission of fault by the regime and is a blow to Kim Jong Un's military agenda focused on naval modernization. It highlights the pressure on the regime to maintain an image of strength and modernization, as the ship is expected to be restored before the upcoming party meeting.
Kim Jong Un has emphasized building a blue-water operational naval fleet capable of operating in open ocean, representing a significant step in North Korea's naval modernization efforts, as reflected in the construction of new 5,000-ton destroyers.
Following the failed warship launch, North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles toward the East Sea, marking the country's second missile launch this month, which underscores ongoing military provocations amid the regime's naval expansion.
History
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