Key figures arrested over North Korea's failed ship launch
The Deputy Director of the Armament Industry Department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Ri Hyong-son, has been arrested, being held "largely responsible for the serious accident," Pyongyang media reported. This marks the fourth arrest in connection with the failed launch of the destroyer.
The official press agency, KCNA, reported that Ri was detained on Sunday.
To date, the chief shipyard engineer, the head of the hull construction department, and the deputy director of administration have also been detained for "criminal negligence."
All are held accountable for the failed launch on 21 May of a new destroyer with a displacement of 5,000 tons, which, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced, is intended to be equipped with the most modern and powerful weapons, including nuclear ones.
Kim, who was present at the failed launch, expressed his fury and blamed representatives of the army, scientists, and shipyard workers for what he termed a "criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism."
The incident occurred in the port of Chongjin. The accident was attributed to a loss of balance during the vessel's launch, damaging the lower part of the destroyer’s hull. Reports indicate that some sections of the ship's bottom were crushed, affecting the ship's equilibrium. Kim Jong Un deemed the accident a blow to the "dignity and self respect of the country."
On a separate note, KCNA reported on Monday that "the work for completely restoring the balance of the warship is being actively conducted under the technical guidance of an expert group according to its schedule." Contrary to initial reports of hull holes, state media asserted that inspections did not find such damage.
Was the accident the result of haste?
In April, North Korea ceremoniously launched a similar destroyer. As highlighted by the Associated Press, Kim places great importance on expanding his naval fleet to address, as he describes it, the "military threat from the USA". The failed launch presented a significant image setback for him.
Experts suggest that the accident may have been the result of haste. At the end of April, in the port of Nampho, the destroyer "Choe Hyon" was launched, which, according to state media reports, was built in just 400 days.
