North Korea has vowed to arrest the people responsible for the failed launch of its second naval destroyer after leader Kim Jong Un vented his fury at “criminal” negligence.
The new 5,000-tonne destroyer key to North Korea's naval advancement was damaged during its launching ceremony attended by leader Kim.
The ship slid off the ramp and became stuck after the flatcar failed to move alongside it, throwing off its balance and crushing parts of the ship's bottom, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The accident at Wednesday's ceremony at the northeastern port of Chongjin was an embarrassing setback for Kim, who has emphasised naval advancement as key to his nuclear-armed military.
Kim blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for what he described as a “serious accident and criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism,” and called for a ruling Workers' Party meeting to address their “irresponsible errors”, KCNA said.
In an update from the reclusive state, KCNA on Friday said the severity of the damage was “not serious” and could be repaired in about 10 days.
It said the hull on the starboard side was scratched and some seawater had flowed into the stern section, though it denied an earlier assessment that the bottom of the hull had been left with holes.
The extremely secretive nature of North Korea makes it almost impossible to verify the assessment.
Satellite imagery on the site showed the vessel lying on its side, with most of its hull submerged and draped in blue covers.
North Korea has a history of manipulating or covering up military-related setbacks, policy fiascoes and other mishaps, though it has periodically acknowledged some of such events in recent years.
Observers believe North Korea’s admission of the failed launch was likely meant to show Kim’s resolve to advance his naval capabilities and boost discipline.
The North’s Central Military Commission summoned Hong Kil Ho, manager of the Chongjin shipyard, as it began its investigation of the failed launch, KCNA reported.
“No matter how good the state of the warship is, the fact that the accident is an unpardonable criminal act remains unchanged, and those responsible for it can never evade their responsibility for the crime,” the commission said, according to KCNA.
The damaged vessel was likely in the same class as the country's first destroyer, unveiled on April 25, which experts assessed as the North's largest and most advanced warship to date.
Kim called it a significant asset for advancing his goal of expanding the military's operational range and nuclear strike capabilities.
State media described that ship as designed to handle various weapons systems, including anti-air and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.
Kim also supervised test-firings of missiles from the destroyer afterwards, and state media said the ship was expected to enter active duty early next year.
Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the damaged vessel was likely equipped with similar systems and remains toppled over in the sea.
Kim has framed the arms buildup as a response to perceived threats from the United States and its allies in Asia, who have been expanding joint military exercises amid rising tensions over the North's nuclear programme.
He says the acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine would be his next big step in strengthening his navy.
Outside experts say the destroyer was likely built with Russian assistance. While North Korea's naval forces are considered inferior to South Korea's, analysts still view the destroyer as a serious security threat, as it could enhance the country's offensive and defensive capabilities.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months as Kim accelerates the development of his nuclear and missile programmes and supplies weapons and troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine.
