North Korea Detains 3 Officials After Botched Warship Launch

North Korea’s newest destroyer sustained damage and became stuck during its May 21 launch ceremony, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

A satellite image shows a North Korean warship covered with a blue tarp after an accident that occurred during its launch at the shipyard in Chongjin, North Korea, on May 23, 2025. Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters

North Korean authorities have detained three shipyard officials in connection with the botched launch of its newest warship, according to a state media report.

This new warship, North Korea’s second-ever destroyer, was due to launch from the Chongjin shipyard on May 21, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported.