North Korea has detained three officials from a shipyard as part of an investigation into the unsuccessful launch of a navy destroyer that occurred last week, which has reportedly caused significant embarrassment for leader Kim Jong-un, according to state media.
The arrested individuals include the chief engineer at the Chongjin shipyard, the head of its hull-construction workshop, and a deputy manager for administrative affairs, as reported by the official Korean Central News Agency.
During the launch attempt of the newly constructed 5,000-ton destroyer on Wednesday, Kim was present to oversee the event. State media indicated that a large crowd had gathered for the ceremony, which was intended to showcase Kim's efforts to modernize North Korea's naval capabilities.
However, the ship lost its balance while engineers attempted to maneuver it sideways into the water. Satellite imagery captured after the incident showed the vessel lying on its side, with its stern submerged and its bow still on the ramp, covered with blue tarpaulins to shield it from surveillance.
Kim labeled the failure of the launch a “criminal act” and vowed to impose severe consequences, according to reports from last week.
This incident was intended to be North Korea's second destroyer launch within a month, following a successful launch in April at Nampo port, where engineers utilized a dry dock to set the ship afloat.
Analysts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the Chongjin shipyard may lack the necessary expertise for launching destroyers, having primarily produced cargo ships and fishing vessels. They indicated that the method of launching large ships sideways, which North Korea had not previously employed for warships, requires precise balancing, a task complicated by the heavy armaments on the destroyer.
South Korean analysts suggested that pressure from Kim to complete the launch, particularly after the earlier success, may have led engineers to overlook critical safety measures.
In contrast, South Korea, which boasts a highly advanced shipbuilding industry, has moved away from sideways launches for warships, according to defense officials.
Initially, North Korean reports claimed that the accident had caused significant damage to the ship's hull, but this assessment was later revised. Although some seawater entered the vessel, a subsequent inspection revealed only superficial scratches.
Despite this, Kim's Central Military Commission maintained that the incident constitutes an “unpardonable criminal act,” emphasizing that those accountable cannot escape responsibility. The commission is reportedly taking the incident seriously to address any lax attitudes within the military.
The commission estimated that a few days would be needed to restore the ship's balance by removing the seawater, while repairs to the hull could take an additional ten days.
The latest damage assessment from North Korea has not been independently verified. Previous reports from the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggested that the destroyer may not enter service in the near future and could ultimately be deemed a total loss.
Historically, North Korea has tended to hide incidents that could tarnish the image of its leadership. However, Kim has previously acknowledged governmental failures and has taken action against officials in response.