Kim Jong-un Vents Fury After Botched Launch of North Korean Destroyer
nytimes.comPublished: 5/22/2025
Summary
North Korea’s failed attempt to launch a new destroyer, marking its second such failure in a month, has dealt a significant blow to its leader, Kim Jong-un, who called it a criminal act. The incident occurred when the ship lost balance during launch, damaging its hull, though details of casualties or photos from the scene were not revealed. Despite the mishap, Kim, who has emphasized military buildup and nuclear expansion as key achievements, faces growing criticism for his failed project.