Cliff Notes
- North Korea’s new destroyer capsized during its launch, prompting an investigation led by Kim Jong Un, who deemed the event a “criminal act” that harmed the nation’s dignity.
- Initial inspections revealed no significant structural damage, but seawater influx through the rescue channel has been confirmed, necessitating further investigation into the causes of the incident.
- The manager of the Chongjin shipyard has been summoned for questioning as authorities move to hold those accountable for the failed launch.
North Korea launches investigation into why new warship ended up on its side
North Korea has launched an investigation into how a new warship ended up on its side and taking on water as leader Kim Jong Un looked on in dismay.
The destroyer was launched on Wednesday but a loss of balance saw the vessel sustain damage, state media reported.
The North Korean leader called it a “criminal act” and said the incident “brought the dignity and self-respect of our state to a collapse”.
An internal inspection found there were no holes at the bottom of the warship, but the starboard hull was scratched and seawater flowed into the stern section through the rescue channel, state media KCNA reported.
The extent of damage was apparently “not serious” and an investigation has been ordered to find the cause of the accident and those responsible for it.
Hong Kil Ho, the manager of the Chongjin shipyard, was summoned to law enforcement on Thursday as it began measures to detain and investigate those responsible for the failed launch, the report said.