North Korea's naval ambitions stalled by catastrophic launch
In North Korea, four people, including a close associate of Kim Jong Un, were arrested following an accident during the launch of a Choe Hyon-class destroyer. The damaged vessel is currently unfit for service.
According to "Business Insider," during the launching ceremony at Chongjin shipyard on the country's eastern coast, the transport platform did not move as intended. As a result, the stern of the ship slipped and got jammed on the slipway, damaging the hull. The entire event was broadcast by North Korean public television.
Kim Jong Un described the incident as an "unforgivable crime", attributing it to "absolute negligence, irresponsibility, and an unscientific approach." An investigation into the accident was immediately launched.
According to the South Korean newspaper "Korea JoongAng Daily," the chief engineer of the shipyard was arrested, along with the hull construction manager, administrative manager, and Ri Hyong Son.
Ri, a member of Kim Jong Un's closest entourage, serves as the deputy director of the Defence Industry Department in the Workers' Party of Korea and is a member of the Central Military Commission overseeing the army.
Expert reacts to Kim Jong Un's decision
A North Korea expert at Washington's Stimson Center, Michael Madden, told the BBC that Kim Jong Un's reaction shows the "high priority" the regime places on the development of the navy.
He believes the accident may have occurred because officials "tried to do too many things at once", and "the personnel and production units were under tremendous pressure to get everything completed."
The disaster occurred just a few weeks after North Korea showcased a similar warship in another part of the country.
Remember that a few weeks ago, three North Korean residents were executed by firing squad after an unsuccessful attempt to escape to South Korea. Their bodies were publicly burned to intimidate the local community.
The men, including two brothers and their friend, set out from the South Hwanghae Province towards the south of the Korean Peninsula. The weather thwarted their plan. In thick fog, believing they had reached South Korea, they called for help, thinking that a South Korean fishing boat was approaching. However, it turned out to be a North Korean patrol boat. The escapees were arrested.
