North Korea’s latest attempt to modernize its navy ended in embarrassment after a 5,000-ton destroyer capsized during launch in the port of Chongjin while leader Kim Jong Un watched. According to state media, the botched event was deemed “an unpardonable criminal act” and prompted the arrest of three senior officials involved in the ship’s design and engineering.

The warship, considered one of the most advanced in the North Korean fleet, reportedly broke apart during the rollout, with one half sliding into the water while the other remained stuck on the quay.

Kim, 41, has staked significant political capital on building a credible blue-water navy as part of his long-term deterrence strategy. His presence at the launch underscores the symbolic importance of the project—and the severity of the regime's response to failure.

The Wall Street Journal reports that satellite images show blue tarps covering the partially sunken ship, reflecting efforts to conceal the scale of the disaster.

North Korea’s military-industrial efforts have increasingly focused on maritime capabilities, amid growing tensions with South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. However, technical setbacks, poor infrastructure, and a climate of fear among engineers continue to plague the regime’s ambitions.