Humiliated Kim fuming as new 5,000-ton warship is ‘CRUSHED' in catastrophic launch during grand unveiling ceremony
TYRANT Kim Jong-un has slammed a "serious accident" at the launch of his new 5,000-ton warship after it was "crushed" and left lying on its side.
The humiliated North Korean dictator branded the catastrophic launch as a "criminal act" which could not be tolerated.
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The rare admission of failure came after the fuming despot witnessed the disastrous spectacle in the port city of Chongjin on Wednesday.
Mortified Kim watched on in horror as the mega vessel appeared to go off balance during its launch ceremony.
The furious leader said it brought shame to the nation's prestige, and vowed to punish those found responsible.
North Korea's state broadcaster said a malfunction caused the stern of the colossal destroyer to slide prematurely into the water.
It crushed parts of the hull and left the bow stranded on the shipway.
But the broadcaster did not report any casualties or injuries as a result of the blunder.
Raging Kim branded the failed launch a "criminal act" and blamed the mishap on "absolute carelessness" by multiple state institutions.
He added that the "irresponsible errors" of those involved will be dealt with.
The seething dictator demanded that repairs on the warship be completed before June this year.
It is currently unclear what punishment exactly the hermit kingdom's leader will unleash upon those deemed at fault.
US Demonstrates Military Power Over Korean Peninsula Amid Rising Tensions
The menacing vessel is now lying on its side in the water according to South Korean military analysis.
Naval analysts say the damage done to the vessel in such a launch malfunction could be "catastrophic".
State media did not immediately release images of the accident.
The launch failure marks a huge setback for Kim, who has recently been ramping up naval modernization in a stark warning to the west.
Last month, the tyrant unveiled North Korea's largest naval destroyer yet that could house a vertical launchpad capable of firing nuclear missiles.
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Dubbed the Choe Hyon, it is believed to be the same 5,000-ton class ship as the one which spectacularly failed on Wednesday.
The mighty 5,000-tonne warship is expected to substantially boost North Korea 's naval capabilities.
North Korea's state media - which also serves as Kim's leading propaganda machine - reported that the vessel was equipped with the "most powerful weapons".
The ship is named after anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter Choe Hyon, the report said.
And at over 5,000 tonnes, the destroyer is set to become the largest warship in North Korea's naval arsenal, surpassing the current largest vessel, a 1,360-tonne frigate.
It was previously reported that North Korea's new class of warship was able to accommodate dozens of vertical launch cells to carry missiles that its military has already developed.
Military analysts say these launchers will be capable of firing guided cruise missiles, which North Korea says could carry nuclear warheads.
Footage from North Korea's state-run television KRT showed Kim arriving in Nampho with his daughter Ju Ae after travelling to the western port city by train.
Kim, in a speech from the launch reported by KCNA, said the warship would be handed over to the navy and go into service early next year.
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