North Korea's Kim Jong Un faces embarrassment after a failed naval destroyer launch. The incident prompts an investigation and highlights military modernization efforts.

He vows to punish as criminals those responsible for the failure, in which the ship had its hull torn open and ended up on its side in the water.

Kim Jong Un pledged to deepen North Korea’s deterrent posture across air, land, and increasingly sea-based platforms, emphasizing the newly launched 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon as both a symbol of military self-reliance and a critical advancement in naval nuclear deterrence.

North Korea is seeking to arrest those responsible for the failed launch of its second naval destroyer, as it denied the warship suffered major damage — a claim quickly met with outside skepticism. A statement from North Korea on its handling of the botched launch came after leader Kim Jong Un expressed fury over the incident that he said was caused by criminal negligence.

State media reported that the warship's stern started sliding off a ramp too early, leaving part of the hull crushed and stuck at the shipyard.

North Korea probes ‘criminal act’ of botched ship launch after Kim Jong Un fury - Central Military Commission says accident ‘an unpardonable criminal act’ even though damage to new naval destroyer ‘no

The younger Kim has accompanied the supreme leader on dozens of public outings, fueling speculation over the line of succession.

HUMILIATED KIM Jong-un has vowed to hunt down the traitors responsible for the disgraceful launch of his new warship – and they face potential execution. North Korean state media said a