North Korea has detained three individuals, including the chief engineer of a shipyard in the country’s northeast, following an accident during the launch of a newly constructed naval destroyer. The mishap, which occurred on Wednesday, has prompted leader Kim Jong Un to call for the “harshest punishment” for those responsible.
State-run media reported that the 5,000-tonne vessel lost balance after its bow failed to detach from the shipway, resulting in the ship capsizing and becoming partially submerged. Satellite images showed the warship, shrouded in blue tarpaulins, lying on its side with visible signs of damage.
“The hull starboard was scratched and a certain amount of seawater flowed into the stern section,” said reports citing official sources on Friday.
Also read: Kim furious after Navy destroyer suffers launch damage
While Pyongyang has kept silent on domestic technical mishaps in the past, this rare public disclosure follows the recent unveiling of a similar destroyer named Choe Hyon. Kim had hailed that warship as a “breakthrough” in the modernisation of the nation’s navy, slated for deployment early next year.
Kim criticised those responsible for the failed launch, attributing the accident to “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.”
Despite the setback, authorities have insisted that the vessel remains largely intact and that repair work is proceeding as scheduled. Kim has reportedly instructed that the ship be fully restored before the plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, which is set to take place in late June.
North Korea is known for its notoriously severe disciplinary actions, especially when high-profile projects fail under the watchful eye of its leadership.
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