North Korean authorities have detained four officials after the launch of a naval destroyer ended in failure last week, its state media reported, in a debacle that the country’s dictator Kim Jong-un said was caused by “criminal negligence”.
Kim, who attended the event on Wednesday in the northeastern port of Chongjin, was said to be furious after the launch of the pariah state’s second naval destroyer was marred by an accident and lost its balance.
Satellite imagery showed the vessel toppled over and draped in blue covers, with parts of the warship submerged.
It is unusual for Pyongyang to acknowledge military-related setbacks and publicly punish officials over them, with analysts saying it reflects how serious Kim is about North Korea’s naval modernisation.
Soon after the embarrassing incident, Kim blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for the botched launch, labelling it a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism”.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that authorities detained Ri Hyong-son, vice director of the munitions industry department at the ruling Workers Party’s Central Committee, who said it was “greatly responsible” for the failed launch.
Three other officials – the chief engineer, head of the hull construction workshop and deputy manager for administrative affairs – were also detained, it reported, while the shipyard manager was called in for questioning.
Wednesday’s incident followed the successful launch of North Korea’s first naval destroyer last month, with Kim hailing its construction “a breakthrough” in modernising North Korea’s navy.
State media reported that the ship – the country’s most advanced – is designed to carry modern weapons including nuclear missiles.
South Korean officials said the warship, named the Choe Hyon, was likely built with the aid of Russia. Kim has presented his efforts to develop Pyongyang’s military capabilities as crucial in repelling perceived threats from the US and its regional allies.
Despite publicly detaining officials and Kim’s outraged reaction to last week’s incident, North Korea denied the second destroyer suffered major damage and claimed on Friday that it would require 10 days to be repaired, though commentators said it was likely to be downplaying the damage.
