A serious accident occurred during the launch ceremony of a new North Korean naval destroyer, state media reported on Thursday. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un condemned the mishap as a "criminal act," citing gross negligence.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the incident took place on Wednesday during the unveiling of a new 5,000-ton warship in the eastern port city of Chongjin. "A serious accident occurred," the report said, without elaborating on the specific nature of the mishap.

South Korea’s military reported that North Korea also fired “multiple unidentified cruise missiles” on Thursday. These were detected near South Hamgyong province and appeared to be launched toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

KCNA attributed the accident to "inexperienced command and operational carelessness." It said parts of the warship’s hull were crushed during the side-launch attempt, causing the vessel to lose its balance. Kim Jong Un, who was present at the event, reportedly watched the incident unfold and declared it a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness,” warning that such failures “cannot be tolerated.”

He further stated that the “irresponsible errors” of those involved would be addressed at the upcoming plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee next month.

South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies assessed that North Korea’s attempt to launch the destroyer using a side-launch method had failed. Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted, “The side-launch method is outdated and no longer used by our military.” He added that the damaged vessel is currently listing in the water and is believed to be similar in class to the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon, which was unveiled last month.

Last month, North Korea released images of Kim attending the Choe Hyon launch ceremony with his daughter, Ju Ae, who many analysts believe may be his designated successor. At that time, North Korea claimed the ship was equipped with “the most powerful weapons” and would become operational early next year. Some experts speculated that the destroyer could be capable of launching tactical short-range missiles, potentially armed with nuclear warheads, although Pyongyang has yet to demonstrate the capability to miniaturize its nuclear weapons.

Possible Russian Involvement
South Korean defense officials have suggested that Choe Hyon and possibly the damaged warship unveiled this week may have been developed with Russian technical support. Some reports claim North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Moscow in its war against Ukraine, potentially in exchange for technological or military assistance.

Ahn Chan-il, a defector-turned-researcher who heads the World Institute for North Korea Studies, echoed this possibility, noting that Chongjin is geographically close to Russia’s Vladivostok port. “The timeline for the vessel’s construction and launch may have been shared with Russia,” he told AFP. He also pointed out signs that the shipyard and dock used for the launch may have been hastily built, leading to structural and operational flaws.

“With this announcement, Pyongyang appears to be sending a message not only to its domestic audience but also to Russia,” Ahn added.

Naval Ambitions Amid Regional Tensions
North Korea confirmed in April that it had deployed troops to Russia in support of Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. Recently, the two nations also began constructing the first road bridge connecting their territories, signaling deepening ties.

Over the past year, Pyongyang has launched numerous ballistic missiles, violating United Nations sanctions. In March, Kim inspected a project to build a nuclear-powered submarine, calling for a “radical” strengthening of the country’s naval capabilities both surface and underwater. North Korea has also claimed it is developing underwater nuclear attack drones capable of triggering a “radioactive tsunami,” though experts remain skeptical of those claims.

Meanwhile, the United States South Korea’s key security ally has ramped up joint military drills and increased the deployment of strategic assets, including aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines, to counter North Korean threats.

North Korea continues to assert itself as an "irreversible" nuclear weapons state and regularly denounces U.S.–South Korea joint exercises as preparation for invasion.