A ceremonial warship launch turned into a public relations disaster this week for North Korea after a newly constructed destroyer was severely damaged before it even entered active service.

Satellite images captured after the event show the 5,000-ton warship partially submerged and tipped sideways at a shipyard in the northeastern port of Chongjin, following a failed launch that drew sharp rebuke from leader Kim Jong Un, as Fox News reports.

Before the incident, the warship appeared in pristine condition, positioned carefully on rails leading to the water in preparation for its initial deployment. Maxar Technologies’ satellite photographs taken ahead of the launch showcased the vessel intact and upright, ready for its first descent into the sea. The ship was expected to mark a display of growing naval capabilities under Kim’s leadership.

Technical malfunction sends ship off course

The launch went awry when a flatcar, the platform mechanism designed to guide the ship during its slide into the ocean, malfunctioned. According to reports, the flatcar failed to move smoothly, causing the rear of the ship to descend abruptly into the water. The sudden movement threw the vessel off balance, damaging its underside and leaving it stuck at an angle on the launch slip.

New satellite imagery following the botched launch now shows the ship leaning to one side, with much of its hull submerged. Its once-visible deck was quickly covered by a large blue tarp, presumably to conceal the extent of the damage. Analysts believe the cloth was hastily placed by North Korean authorities as part of damage-control efforts following the public failure.

North Korean state media has not released footage or photographs from the launch, a notable absence considering their typical use of military ceremonies to demonstrate strength and modernization. Instead, reports focused on Kim Jong Un’s stern response following the misstep.

Kim unleashes blame, demands accountability

The failed operation drew a furious reaction from Kim, who labeled the incident a major failure. He reportedly castigated both military officials and scientific staff involved in the production and launching of the destroyer. Kim is said to have attributed the mishap to widespread carelessness and fundamentally flawed methods used in the planning and execution of the launch.

He reportedly blamed personnel for what he described as a “serious accident and criminal act” caused by negligence and poor judgment. He expressed dissatisfaction with what he called “unscientific empiricism,” indicating his belief that flawed reasoning played a role in the outcome. These statements reflect ongoing frustrations Kim has periodically expressed following military setbacks.

North Korean broadcasts indicated that Kim ordered immediate repairs to the damaged destroyer intending to complete restoration ahead of a coming political event. The ruling Workers' Party of Korea is set to convene in June, and Kim reportedly wants the ship operational in time for the meeting as a renewed symbol of national strength.

Warship debut part of broader military buildup

The destroyer was expected to represent a significant addition to North Korea’s growing military fleet. It forms part of a broader campaign by Kim to develop advanced weapons systems and expand naval capabilities. Under his leadership, North Korea has publicly revealed plans for high-tech arsenal developments, including nuclear submarines and artificial intelligence-driven drone technologies.

Kim has previously underscored the need for greater drone production, and in recent months, Pyongyang unveiled what it claimed were AI-powered suicide drones. These efforts are framed by officials as critical safeguards against perceived threats from the West and regional adversaries. The failed launch stands in contrast to the image the regime has attempted to maintain.

North Korea’s military developments have not been limited to equipment. In March, the country reportedly deployed a large number of troops overseas, sending an estimated 15,000 personnel to assist Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine. It marked the largest foreign military deployment for North Korea since the Korean War in the early 1950s.

Casualties, continued military strain emerge

The outcome of the troop deployment has raised concerns within North Korea and abroad. South Korean defense officials reported that approximately 600 North Korean troops sent to Russia had died as of late April. The losses may increase scrutiny of Kim’s decisions as he continues to invest heavily in defense operations and strategic alliances.

While Kim’s emphasis on military power has dominated state propaganda, recent events -- including the destroyer’s flawed launch -- have revealed operational cracks beneath the surface. Repairs on the warship are expected to proceed under tight deadlines and heightened oversight. Reports suggest Kim is closely monitoring the shipbuilding team’s progress ahead of the June political summit.

In a stern warning, Kim announced that during the upcoming Working Party meeting, an investigation will be launched into the missteps behind the launch failure. He warned that errors stemming from official “irresponsibility” would be thoroughly examined. The statement appears designed both to assign blame and discourage similar failures within other military programs.

Symbolism, pressure ahead of June summit

As North Korea prepares for the June gathering of the country's ruling party, leaders are working to re-establish momentum. The meeting may provide an opportunity for Kim to reposition the mangled destroyer, once repaired, as a restored symbol of resilience. It remains unclear whether the vessel will be fully operational in time.

The original launch was intended as a demonstration of strength and technological capability, aligning with Kim’s broader ambitions. But the event instead highlighted logistical challenges, infrastructural gaps, and internal frustrations within the North Korean defense sector. Observers say the pressure on shipyard staff and military leaders is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.

As repairs continue under a climate of scrutiny and urgency, the fate of the 5,000-ton destroyer—and the lessons drawn from its mishap -- may shape how Pyongyang approaches future military rollouts.