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Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
N. Korea detains another official over warship launch accident
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called the mishap a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness'. (EPA Images pic) SEOUL : North Korea has detained another official over last week's failed launch of a warship, which damaged the 5,000-ton naval destroyer, state media reported today. Pyongyang announced 'a serious accident' at Wednesday's launch ceremony, which crushed sections of the bottom of the newly built destroyer. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called the mishap a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness'. Ri Hyong Son, vice department director of the munitions industry department of the party central committee, was summoned and detained yesterday, the Korean Central News Agency reported. He was 'greatly responsible for the occurrence of the serious accident', it said. Ri is the fourth person reportedly detained in connection with the accident, following the detention of three individuals over the weekend, including the chief engineer at the shipyard. KCNA reported on Friday that shipyard manager Hong Kil Ho had been summoned by law enforcement 'At the scene of the destroyer launch accident, the work for completely restoring the balance of the warship is being actively conducted,' KCNA said, adding that it is done 'according to its schedule'. South Korea's military said that Washington and Seoul's intelligence authorities had assessed that North Korea's 'side-launch attempt' of the ship failed, and the vessel was left listing in the water. KCNA, however, reported that an 'underwater and internal inspection of the warship confirmed that, unlike the initial announcement, there were no holes made at the warship's bottom', calling the extent of the damage 'not serious'. The South Korean military estimated that based on its size and scale, the newly built warship is similarly equipped to the 5,000-ton destroyer-class vessel Choe Hyon, which North Korea unveiled last month. Pyongyang has said the Choe Hyon is equipped with the 'most powerful weapons', and that it would 'enter into operation early next year'. Seoul's military has said the Choe Hyon could have been developed with Russian help, possibly in exchange for Pyongyang deploying thousands of troops to help Moscow fight Ukraine.
Saudi Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
North Korea detains shipyard officials after warship launch accident damages 5,000-tonne destroyer
SEOUL — North Korea has detained three senior officials following an accident during the launch of a new 5,000-tonne warship, which state media described as the result of 'absolute carelessness' and 'irresponsibility.' According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the destroyer's hull was damaged during Wednesday's launch ceremony at the northern Chongjin shipyard. The vessel tipped off balance as parts of its bottom were crushed while entering the water. Those detained include the shipyard's chief engineer, the head of construction, and an administrative manager. KCNA reported that they are 'responsible for the accident' and are now under investigation. Additionally, shipyard manager Hong Kil Ho was summoned by law enforcement images showed the vessel lying on its side, partially on land, and covered with large blue tarpaulins. While KCNA claimed the damage was limited — reporting only scratches to the hull and seawater entering the stern — earlier speculation had pointed to more extensive structural Korean leader Kim Jong Un described the incident as a 'criminal act' and said those involved would be held accountable at a plenary meeting scheduled for next month.'Unscientific empiricism and irresponsibility' were to blame, he said, warning of strict acknowledgment of such accidents is rare in North Korea, which tightly controls state regime has occasionally disclosed mishaps in the past, but typically downplays their launch failure comes just weeks after Kim oversaw the unveiling of another 5,000-tonne destroyer, the Choe Hyon, which he described as a 'breakthrough' in modernizing the country's naval forces. That vessel was expected to enter service early next year. — BBC
Belfast Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
North Korea detains three shipyard officials over failed naval destroyer launch
The 5,000-tonne-class destroyer was damaged on Wednesday when a transport cradle on the ship's stern detached early during a launch ceremony attended by Mr Kim at the northeastern port of Chongjin. Satellite imagery on the site showed the vessel lying on its side and draped in blue covers, with parts of the ship submerged. The vessel is North Korea's second known destroyer. The failed launch was subsequently an embarrassment to Mr Kim, who is eager to build greater naval forces to deal with what he calls US-led military threats. North Korea launched its first destroyer, also a 5,000-tonne-class ship, with massive fanfare last month. The ship is North Korea's largest and most advanced warship and state media reported it is designed to carry various weapons including nuclear missiles. Law enforcement authorities detained the chief engineer, head of the hull construction workshop and deputy manager for administrative affairs at Chongjin Shipyard, who they said were responsible for Wednesday's failed launch, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Hong Kil Ho, the shipyard manager, also was summoned for questioning, KCNA previously reported. Mr Kim blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for what he called a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism'. In an instruction to investigators on Thursday, North Korea's powerful Central Military Commission echoed Mr Kim's position, saying those responsible 'can never evade their responsibility for the crime'. North Korea denied the warship suffered major damage, saying the hull on the starboard side was scratched and some seawater flowed into the stern section. North Korea said on Friday it needed about 10 days to make repairs, but many outside observers said the country likely understated the damage.
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
North Korea detains three shipyard officials over failed naval destroyer launch
The 5,000-tonne-class destroyer was damaged on Wednesday when a transport cradle on the ship's stern detached early during a launch ceremony attended by Mr Kim at the northeastern port of Chongjin. Satellite imagery on the site showed the vessel lying on its side and draped in blue covers, with parts of the ship submerged. The vessel is North Korea's second known destroyer. The failed launch was subsequently an embarrassment to Mr Kim, who is eager to build greater naval forces to deal with what he calls US-led military threats. North Korea launched its first destroyer, also a 5,000-tonne-class ship, with massive fanfare last month. The ship is North Korea's largest and most advanced warship and state media reported it is designed to carry various weapons including nuclear missiles. Law enforcement authorities detained the chief engineer, head of the hull construction workshop and deputy manager for administrative affairs at Chongjin Shipyard, who they said were responsible for Wednesday's failed launch, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Hong Kil Ho, the shipyard manager, also was summoned for questioning, KCNA previously reported. Mr Kim blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for what he called a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism'. In an instruction to investigators on Thursday, North Korea's powerful Central Military Commission echoed Mr Kim's position, saying those responsible 'can never evade their responsibility for the crime'. North Korea denied the warship suffered major damage, saying the hull on the starboard side was scratched and some seawater flowed into the stern section. North Korea said on Friday it needed about 10 days to make repairs, but many outside observers said the country likely understated the damage.
South Wales Guardian
25-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
North Korea detains three shipyard officials over failed naval destroyer launch
The 5,000-tonne-class destroyer was damaged on Wednesday when a transport cradle on the ship's stern detached early during a launch ceremony attended by Mr Kim at the northeastern port of Chongjin. Satellite imagery on the site showed the vessel lying on its side and draped in blue covers, with parts of the ship submerged. The vessel is North Korea's second known destroyer. The failed launch was subsequently an embarrassment to Mr Kim, who is eager to build greater naval forces to deal with what he calls US-led military threats. North Korea launched its first destroyer, also a 5,000-tonne-class ship, with massive fanfare last month. The ship is North Korea's largest and most advanced warship and state media reported it is designed to carry various weapons including nuclear missiles. Law enforcement authorities detained the chief engineer, head of the hull construction workshop and deputy manager for administrative affairs at Chongjin Shipyard, who they said were responsible for Wednesday's failed launch, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Hong Kil Ho, the shipyard manager, also was summoned for questioning, KCNA previously reported. Mr Kim blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for what he called a 'criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism'. In an instruction to investigators on Thursday, North Korea's powerful Central Military Commission echoed Mr Kim's position, saying those responsible 'can never evade their responsibility for the crime'. North Korea denied the warship suffered major damage, saying the hull on the starboard side was scratched and some seawater flowed into the stern section. North Korea said on Friday it needed about 10 days to make repairs, but many outside observers said the country likely understated the damage.
