North Korea's destroyer disaster: Kim's fury and arrests follow
A serious accident occurred during the launch of a new destroyer in North Korea. The country's leader, Kim Jong Un, who attended the ceremony and observed the procedure, witnessed everything. Three members of the Chongjin shipyard management have been arrested. Kim went into a "rage," reported the Korean KCNA agency.
According to the KCNA agency, the chief engineer of the shipyard, the head of the hull construction department, and the deputy director for administrative affairs have been detained for "criminal negligence."
They are held responsible for the failed launch of the new destroyer, which has a displacement of 5,500 tons and is designed to be equipped with the most modern and powerful weapons, including nuclear ones.
Kim, who was present at the failed launch, went into a rage and blamed representatives of the army, scientists, and shipyard workers for the "criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism."
The incident occurred at the Chongjin port. The accident happened due to a loss of balance during the ship's launch, resulting in damage to the lower part of the destroyer's hull. As reported, some sections of the ship's bottom were crushed, disrupting the ship's balance. Kim Jong Un deemed the accident a blow to the "dignity and self-respect of our state."
As highlighted by the Associated Press, Kim places great importance on expanding his naval fleet to counter what he calls the "military threat from the USA." The failed ship launch was a significant image setback for him.
Last month, North Korea ceremoniously launched its first similar destroyer.
The North Korean authorities maintain that the destroyer's hull suffered only minor damages and repairs will take only 10 days, but foreign experts, relying on satellite images, believe the damage is much more serious.
Experts suspect that the accident may be the result of haste. At the end of April, the destroyer "Choe Hyon" was launched at the Nampho port, which, according to state media, was built in 400 days.
