Kim Jong Un angry as North Korea’s second naval destroyer gets damaged at its launch ceremony
Four officials have been arrested by North Korea for possibly being involved in the unsuccessful launch of its second naval ship.
New Delhi (India) May 26: According to reports, North Korea has arrested four high-ranking officials after an important warship's unsuccessful launch damaged one of its biggest destroyers. An official investigation has been launched into the Wednesday incident at Chongjin Shipyard.
The arrests came after leader Kim Jong Un expressed anger at the incident, which he said was the result of criminal negligence.The main military committee said Friday that those responsible would be held accountable for their "unpardonable criminal act.”
Kim has accused the military officers, scientists and shipyard staff for a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.”
The North Central Military Commission has said "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.”
Law enforcement officials arrested Ri Hyong Son, vice director of the munitions industry department at the ruling Workers Party's Central Committee, who claimed the party was "greatly responsible" for the unsuccessful launch.
Three officers from Chongjin Shipyard including the deputy manager for administrative affairs, the chief engineer, and the head of the hull construction workshop were also arrested by the authorities. The manager of the Chongjin shipyard, Hong Kil Ho was called in for interrogation.
Mr. Kim was present at a launch ceremony at the northeastern port of Chongjin on Wednesday May 21, when a transport cradle on the ship's stern detached early, causing damage to the 5,000-ton-class destroyer.
According to the satellite images, some parts of the ship are underwater and the vessel is covered in blue coverings and resting on its side. The ship is the second destroyer known to exist in North Korea.
North Korea launched its first destroyer, which is also a 5,000-ton-class vessel, last month. The ship is North Korea's biggest warship, and is built to carry a variety of weapons, including nuclear missiles.
North Korea claims that the damage will be repaired within ten days, but international experts doubt the timeline since they believe the damage is far worse.
North Korea announced that it has started a deep investigation into the "accident" that resulted in the warship's bottom parts being damaged due to a loss of balance during launch.
The majority of North Korea's navy is made up of small ships intended for coastal defence. The goal of the new destroyers was to increase the nation's power for military action.
Aadrika Tayal
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