North Korean leader Kim Jong Un condemns warship accident as 'criminal'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a ceremony for the launch of a "new multipurpose destroyer," as per state media KCNA's reports, in Nampo, North Korea, in this handout picture released on April 26, 2025, by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS/File Photo

SEOUL (Reuters) -A major accident occurred on Wednesday during the launch of a new North Korean warship while Kim Jong Un was attending the event, with the isolated state's leader calling it a "criminal act" that could not be tolerated, state media KCNA reported.

Kim, who witnessed the failed launch of the 5,000-ton destroyer, excoriated the accident as caused by "carelessness" that tarnished national dignity, and ordered the ship restored before a ruling party meeting in June, KCNA said on Thursday.