Four North Korean officials have been arrested after a Choe Hyon-class destroyer was damaged during launch. Their fates look grim, experts said.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean authorities have detained four officials over the recent failed launch of a naval destroyer , an incident that leader Kim Jong Un said was caused by criminal negligence, state media said.

The Strategic Implications of North Korea's Failed Naval Vessel Launch On May 21, 2025, North Korea's much-anticipated launch of a 5,000-ton warship ended in embarrassment when the vessel ran aground during the slipway launch process at the northeastern port of Chongjin.