North Korea’s latest military showcase turned into a national embarrassment when the country’s newly unveiled 5,000-ton warship was severely damaged during its launch. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, who personally attended the event, labeled the incident a “criminal act” and publicly rebuked multiple government agencies for negligence, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The incident, which marks a rare public admission of failure by the regime, occurred on Wednesday when a mechanical failure caused the rear of the destroyer to prematurely slide into the water. The stern was submerged while the bow remained lodged on the shipway, visibly damaging the ship’s hull. Satellite images confirmed the ship lying awkwardly on its side, though North Korean media has yet to release official photos of the botched launch.

Kim Jong Un pointed fingers at the Munitions Industry Department, Kim Chaek University of Technology, and the ship design bureau, citing “absolute carelessness” and “irresponsibility.” Three individuals, including the shipyard’s chief engineer, have been arrested pending a formal investigation.

Maritime experts warn the damage may be irreparable. “Stress during such an uneven launch can warp the hull or even snap the keel,” said naval expert Carl Schuster. U.S.-based maritime historian Sal Mercogliano noted that failing to launch a ship evenly places catastrophic pressure on the structure.

This failed launch comes on the heels of April’s unveiling of the Choe Hyon, North Korea’s first newly constructed destroyer in decades. That vessel was promoted as a “new generation” warship designed to combat perceived threats from the U.S. and South Korea. Analysts were surprised by the speed of North Korea’s naval expansion, given its historically underfunded navy.

The damaged vessel is believed to be of a similar design and capability to the Choe Hyon. However, defense analysts now question whether North Korea possesses the technical and logistical infrastructure, such as a dry dock, needed to launch, recover, or properly repair ships of this size. A retired South Korean admiral suggested that without a dry dock, repairs could take months, if not longer.

Despite KCNA later claiming that the ship sustained less damage than initially feared—reporting seawater intrusion in the stern and scratches on the starboard side—experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies cautioned that the ship may never enter active service.

Kim has ordered that the warship be restored before the late June plenary session of the ruling Workers’ Party, calling the repair deadline a matter of national honor. But experts doubt this is realistic, with some warning that rushed fixes could worsen structural issues.

A formal investigation committee has been assembled, and top officials could face serious disciplinary action during the upcoming Central Committee meeting.

As North Korea continues to pour resources into modernizing its military, this high-profile failure raises new concerns about the regime’s technological capabilities—and whether recent advances are more propaganda than progress.