SEOUL, South Korea — Authorities in North Korea have detained three officials from a shipyard following the recent failed launch of a naval destroyer, an incident that leader Kim Jong Un attributed to criminal negligence, according to state media reports from Sunday.
The naval destroyer, classified as a 5,000-ton vessel, encountered significant issues during its launch ceremony held on Wednesday at the northeastern port of Chongjin, where Kim was in attendance. The incident occurred when a transport cradle malfunctioned, causing the stern of the ship to detach prematurely. Satellite imagery revealed that the destroyer was lying on its side, covered in blue tarpaulins, with parts of the vessel submerged underwater.
This latest failure marks North Korea's second attempt to launch a destroyer and stands as an embarrassment for Kim Jong Un, who is intent on enhancing the country's naval capabilities in response to what he perceives as escalating military threats from the United States. In a related note, North Korea successfully launched its first destroyer of the same class just last month, which was touted as the country's largest and most advanced warship, reportedly equipped to carry diverse weaponry, including nuclear missiles.
In the wake of the failed launch, North Korean law enforcement has detained the chief engineer, the head of the hull construction workshop, and the deputy manager for administrative affairs at Chongjin Shipyard. These individuals have been identified as the primary personnel responsible for the failed event, as confirmed by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Furthermore, Hong Kil Ho, the shipyard manager, has also been summoned for questioning regarding the launch mishap.
Kim Jong Un criticized various officials, including military leaders and scientists, for what he described as a "criminal act" resulting from "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism." Following his remarks, North Korea's Central Military Commission reiterated Kim's stance, emphasizing that those deemed responsible could not evade accountability for the incident.
Despite the evident failures during the launch, North Korean officials have downplayed the extent of damage sustained by the warship, asserting that only minor scratches occurred on the starboard hull and that a limited amount of seawater had managed to enter the stern section. In a statement made on Friday, North Korea indicated that it would require approximately ten days for repairs to be conducted. However, many external observers have suggested that the extent of the damage is likely being underestimated.
As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial to monitor the developments within North Korea's military ambitions, particularly in light of Kim Jong Un's ongoing efforts to assert the country’s naval strength amid rising tensions in the region.
