North Korea detains shipyard officials over failed launch that left naval destroyer damaged: state media
North Korea has recently detained shipyard officials responsible for a failed launch that left a 5,000-ton North Korean naval destroyer damaged, according to state media reports. The chief engineer of the Chongjin Shipyard and others were arrested, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday.
Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was said to be distressed after witnessing the unsuccessful launch that resulted in the warship’s damage. He expressed that the accident harmed the country’s dignity and vowed to punish those accountable for the mishap.
The incident occurred at the northeastern port of Chongjin on Wednesday, in front of a large audience, which added to the embarrassment as Kim aimed to showcase the military’s strength.
Kim reportedly held military officials, scientists, and shipyard operators responsible for what he described as a “serious accident and criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism.”
Satellite images display the warship covered in blue tarps, lying on its side with the stern protruding into the harbor, while the bow remained on the launch slipway.
A malfunction with the flatcar guiding the ship during the launch caused the warship to lose balance, damaging parts of its bottom before sliding into the water. Kim has ordered the ship to be restored before a ruling party meeting scheduled for June.
The restoration process is underway, according to KCNA.
North Korea’s armed forces have pledged to “thoroughly contain and control all sorts of military threats from enemy countries,” amidst a U.S. military buildup in the region, as per KCNA, citing the policy chief at the defense ministry.
During Kim’s leadership, North Korea has concentrated on developing a military weapons arsenal in response to perceived Western aggression.
The article includes images of the damaged warship and Kim Jong Un’s distraught reaction to the failed launch. The original source, Reuters, contributed to this report.
