On May 21, North Korea held a launching ceremony of a “newly-built 5000-tonnage destroyer,” assessed to be the second Choe Hyon-class guided missile destroyer (DDGHM), at Chongjin. However, North Korean media reported on the failure of the launching which has led to significant damage to the vessel. Satellite imagery acquired on May 22, 2025, confirms this report. The stern is seen swung out into the harbor as a result of the wheeled units placed under the frame sliding into the water while the bow remained on the side slipway. Another contributing issue may have been the Hambuk Shipyard itself. As noted in our previous report, it was unusual that the shipyard was selected to undertake the construction of the second DDGHM. The shipyard has previously primarily produced cargo vessels, fishing vessels, and dredgers and undoubtedly lacks significant expertise in manufacturing and launching large warships such as the new destroyer. The failed launch is an embarrassment to Kim Jong-un and North Korea’s Korean People’s Navy (KPN). The DDGHM will not be entering service anytime soon and may ultimately prove to be a complete loss. This failure has undoubtedly disrupted Kim’s planned timeline for the development of the KPN from a coastal defense force into a nascent blue-water force capable of strategic offensive operations.
Failed Launch and Damage of the Second Guided Missile Destroyer – Beyond Parallel
