Latest news with #MunitionsIndustryDepartment
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The 4 North Korean officials arrested over a botched destroyer launch are in mortal danger
North Korea has arrested four officials in connection with a botched warship launch. State media reaction to the incident signals Kim Jong Un's fury at the disaster. Experts say the officials face severe — possibly fatal — consequences. Four officials detained after a North Korean destroyer was badly damaged on the day of its ceremonial launch into the water face potentially fatal consequences at the hands of Kim Jong Un, North Korean experts told Business Insider. "I would say there's a very good chance they'd be executed," Joseph S. Bermudez, an analyst in North Korean defense at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, said. One striking aspect was the speed at which state-controlled North Korean media publicized the incident that damaged its newest warship, and also named the officials. The highly public nature of the announcements suggests Kim is "very upset," Bermudez added. The arrests came within days of the botched launch of the nameless 5,000-ton destroyer, which saw the ship topple onto its side and its hull damaged. It's believed the mechanism that rolled the ship into the water malfunctioned, leaving the ship's bow stuck on the pier while its aft section lying in the water and flooded. State-run outlets announced the arrests, placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of the shipyard's chief engineer, the head of the hull construction workshop, and a deputy manager for administrative affairs. At the top of the list: Ri Hyong Son, a vice director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Korean Workers' Party Central Committee, who was also arrested. The warship was one of two next-generation Choe Hyon-class destroyers. The first, the titular Choe Hyon, launched a month ago to great fanfare at Nampo Harbor on the peninsula's western coast. However, the second was constructed at the eastern Chongjin Shipyard, which does not typically produce large warships, Bermudez told BI. Rather than launching it in drydock or from a slipway, North Korea attempted a sideways launch — something the workers may not have been well-practiced at with a larger vessel, he said. When it came to the bigger ship, "all of a sudden, you're starting to use a piece that hasn't been used in years," he said. As of Monday, satellite images showed that the bow of the ship still stuck on the pier, with evidence of a dredging operation at the harbor entrance. Following the launch, state media put the "responsible" officials on blast. This was a choice. "Normally these things are done quietly," Bermudez said. Within hours of the disaster, the Pyongyang Times reported Kim denouncing it at length, calling it a "criminal act" that "could not be tolerated." Multiple detailed updates to the recovery operation have followed. The Choe Hyon-class destroyer is a step towards a major ambition of Kim's: transforming North Korea's primarily coastal navy into a blue-water fleet, Bermudez said. A setback to that project is a "slap in the face" for Kim, he added. Although the full capabilities of the new ship are not yet known, its sister ship the Choe Hyon — the first in the class — wields modern capabilities like an air defence system and vertically launched missiles. State media has claimed it can carry nuclear-capable missiles — in which case, the program is "very much interlinked with North Korea's broader nuclear ambitions," according to Edward Howell, an expert on North Korean politics at the University of Oxford. "The fact that it failed so miserably was pretty embarrassing for Kim," who is "captivated" by developing naval power, Bruce Bennett, a North Korea-focused defense analyst at the RAND think tank, told BI. It's even more galling in the wake of large-scale South Korean naval drills in the Yellow Sea earlier this month — which showcased its naval power after the launch of the first Choe Hyon. And there was another reason to denounce the named officials: In terms of domestic politics, "it puts everybody on notice," Bermudez said. When big programs that really matter to Kim fail, "he's going to take retribution," he added. Although officials have now said the damage is not as bad as first assessed — something that BI could not independently verify — it's still going to be treated with utmost seriousness in order to "deal a telling blow to incautiousness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricist attitude prevailing in any field," state media declared. It's unclear exactly what will happen to the officials named. Various punishments are possible through the judicial system, but all too often, "'due process' is a bullet in the head," RAND's Bennett said. In January, North Korea executed two unnamed nuclear power plant construction researchers for failing to complete their project and improve technological standards, Daily NK reported. Their junior colleagues were transported to what is believed to be a political prison camp, the outlet reported. Regardless of what punishment is handed down, one thing is likely: it'll also hit the officials' families. In the logic of the North Korean justice system, convictions are "because of a significant family flaw," Bennett said. "Therefore three generations of the family need to be dealt with." That could mean the officials' spouses, parents, and even kids could be sent to grim prison camps — and could also be downgraded within the country's system of social hierarchy, Songbun. "We don't know what their fates will be," said Howell. "Their fates don't look to be very pleasant." "But crucially," he added, "this is going to make no impact on North Korea's broader quest for naval modernization, military modernization." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
The 4 North Korean officials arrested over a botched destroyer launch are in mortal danger
Four officials detained after a North Korean destroyer was badly damaged on the day of its ceremonial launch into the water face potentially fatal consequences at the hands of Kim Jong Un, North Korean experts told Business Insider. "I would say there's a very good chance they'd be executed," Joseph S. Bermudez, an analyst in North Korean defense at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, said. One striking aspect was the speed at which state-controlled North Korean media publicized the incident that damaged its newest warship, and also named the officials. The highly public nature of the announcements suggests Kim is "very upset," Bermudez added. How it all went wrong The arrests came within days of the botched launch of the nameless 5,000-ton destroyer, which saw the ship topple onto its side and its hull damaged. It's believed the mechanism that rolled the ship into the water malfunctioned, leaving the ship's bow stuck on the pier while its aft section lying in the water and flooded. State-run outlets announced the arrests, placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of the shipyard's chief engineer, the head of the hull construction workshop, and a deputy manager for administrative affairs. At the top of the list: Ri Hyong Son, a vice director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Korean Workers' Party Central Committee, who was also arrested. The warship was one of two next-generation Choe Hyon-class destroyers. The first, the titular Choe Hyon, launched a month ago to great fanfare at Nampo Harbor on the peninsula's western coast. However, the second was constructed at the eastern Chongjin Shipyard, which does not typically produce large warships, Bermudez told BI. Rather than launching it in drydock or from a slipway, North Korea attempted a sideways launch — something the workers may not have been well-practiced at with a larger vessel, he said. When it came to the bigger ship, "all of a sudden, you're starting to use a piece that hasn't been used in years," he said. As of Monday, satellite images showed that the bow of the ship still stuck on the pier, with evidence of a dredging operation at the harbor entrance. Why Kim is turning up the heat Following the launch, state media put the "responsible" officials on blast. This was a choice. "Normally these things are done quietly," Bermudez said. Within hours of the disaster, the Pyongyang Times reported Kim denouncing it at length, calling it a "criminal act" that "could not be tolerated." Multiple detailed updates to the recovery operation have followed. The Choe Hyon-class destroyer is a step towards a major ambition of Kim's: transforming North Korea's primarily coastal navy into a blue-water fleet, Bermudez said. A setback to that project is a "slap in the face" for Kim, he added. Although the full capabilities of the new ship are not yet known, its sister ship the Choe Hyon — the first in the class — wields modern capabilities like an air defence system and vertically launched missiles. State media has claimed it can carry nuclear-capable missiles — in which case, the program is "very much interlinked with North Korea's broader nuclear ambitions," according to Edward Howell, an expert on North Korean politics at the University of Oxford. "The fact that it failed so miserably was pretty embarrassing for Kim," who is "captivated" by developing naval power, Bruce Bennett, a North Korea-focused defense analyst at the RAND think tank, told BI. It's even more galling in the wake of large-scale South Korean naval drills in the Yellow Sea earlier this month — which showcased its naval power after the launch of the first Choe Hyon. And there was another reason to denounce the named officials: In terms of domestic politics, "it puts everybody on notice," Bermudez said. When big programs that really matter to Kim fail, "he's going to take retribution," he added. Although officials have now said the damage is not as bad as first assessed — something that BI could not independently verify — it's still going to be treated with utmost seriousness in order to "deal a telling blow to incautiousness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricist attitude prevailing in any field," state media declared. A generational punishment It's unclear exactly what will happen to the officials named. Various punishments are possible through the judicial system, but all too often, "'due process' is a bullet in the head," RAND's Bennett said. In January, North Korea executed two unnamed nuclear power plant construction researchers for failing to complete their project and improve technological standards, Daily NK reported. Their junior colleagues were transported to what is believed to be a political prison camp, the outlet reported. Regardless of what punishment is handed down, one thing is likely: it'll also hit the officials' families. In the logic of the North Korean justice system, convictions are "because of a significant family flaw," Bennett said. "Therefore three generations of the family need to be dealt with." That could mean the officials' spouses, parents, and even kids could be sent to grim prison camps — and could also be downgraded within the country's system of social hierarchy, Songbun. "We don't know what their fates will be," said Howell. "Their fates don't look to be very pleasant." "But crucially," he added, "this is going to make no impact on North Korea's broader quest for naval modernization, military modernization."
Axios
7 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
North Korea detains 4 officials over failed warship launch
Officials in North Korea detained four officials over the failed launch of a new warship last week in the northeastern port city of Chongjin, per state media. The big picture: The incident last Thursday that analysts said left the 5,000-ton destroyer badly damaged drew a rare public rebuke from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who described the mishap as a "criminal act." Details: Officials detained Ri Hyong Son, vice department director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Party Central Committee, reported the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Monday, which said he "was greatly responsible for the occurrence of the serious accident." Rodong Sinmun reported earlier the detention of three others: Kang Jong Chol, chief engineer of the Chongjin Shipyard; Han Kyong Hak, head of the hull construction workshop; and Kim Yong Hak, deputy manager for administrative affairs.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
North Korea's Kim Jong Un could execute four officials over failed naval destroyer launch — here are their names
North Korea tried to launch a brand-new 5,000-ton warship, but the launch failed badly. The ship tipped over and was partially underwater at the shipyard. Four officials have been arrested because the government says they are responsible for the accident, as per reports. The most senior person arrested is Ri Hyong Son, a top leader in North Korea's Munitions Industry Department and also part of the Central Military Commission, according to the reports. The other three arrested are, Kang Jong Chol, chief engineer of Chongjin Shipyard, Han Kyong Hak, head of the hull construction workshop, and Kim Yong Hak, admin deputy manager. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un was there when the ship launch failed. He got very angry and said it was a serious mistake that embarrassed the country. The accident happened because the launch mechanism malfunctioned, making the rear of the ship slip early into the water, which damaged the hull and left the front stuck on the platform, according to the KCNA report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Casablanca (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now Undo North Korea admitted this failure publicly, which is very rare, since the country usually hides such issues. KCNA later said the damage was not as bad as they first thought. The hull didn't have holes, but there were scratches on the right side and some seawater got into the stern. The report said repairs might take 10 days, but experts doubt it and think it could take up to 6 months. Kim Jong Un wants the ship to be fixed before the end of June, before the big party meeting of the Workers' Party. He said it's a matter of 'national honor'. Live Events Satellite images show the ship is still on its side, mostly covered in blue tarps, so it's hard to see the full damage. Carl Schuster says if damage is also on the left side, it will take 4 to 6 months to repair, as mentioned in the CNN report. Repair work is tough because the ship first needs to be uprighted, then flushed with fresh water to get rid of salt, otherwise it will corrode the metal. KCNA says they are working to 'completely restore the balance of the warship,' but gave no clear timeline. South Korean defense expert Yu Yong-weon said the launch was too rushed, and trying to fix it fast may cause more problems later. Schuster agrees, saying Kim may care more about showing success for propaganda than actual military use. He said if Kim demands it to be ready quickly, shortcuts will be taken, but that could make the ship less safe or useful in real battles. Michael Madden from Stimson Center said Kim's harsh response shows this warship program is a big priority for North Korea. Madden also said there was a lot of internal pressure on officials to finish fast, which may have caused the mistakes, according to the report by BBC. Chun In-bum, a former South Korean military leader, said North Korea talking openly about the failure might be their way of showing they are strong and can bounce back. Chun also warned that this new class of warships could be used to challenge South Korea's sovereignty more directly in the future. This failed launch happened just weeks after North Korea showed off a similar warship in another area. Kim had earlier called that other ship a 'breakthrough' and said it would be deployed early next year as part of modernizing the navy. North Korea has sometimes admitted failures in the past, like during satellite launch failures, but it's still rare for them to go public. Punishments in North Korea can be very severe, including forced labor or even execution, if officials are blamed for major problems, as per BBC report. FAQs Q1. What happened to North Korea's new warship? It tipped over during launch and got damaged. Q2. Why did Kim Jong Un call it a 'criminal act'? He blamed poor planning and said it hurt the country's pride.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Korea arrests four over failed warship launch as images show vessel shielded from prying eyes
North Korea has arrested four people it claims bear responsibility for a launch accident last week that left leader Kim Jong Un's newest warship lying on its side and partially submerged in a shipyard, state-run media has reported. The four people detained included Ri Hyong Son, vice department director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Party Central Committee, 'who was greatly responsible for the occurrence of the serious accident,' a report from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday said. On Sunday, KCNA said three others had been detained: Kang Jong Chol, chief engineer of the Chongjin Shipyard where the accident occurred, Han Kyong Hak, head of the hull construction workshop, and Kim Yong Hak, deputy manager for administrative affairs. Kim last week called the botched launch, which he witnessed, 'a criminal act' and vowed to punish those responsible. Last Wednesday's accident resulted from a malfunction in the launch mechanism that caused the stern of the as-yet unnamed 5,000-ton destroyer to slide prematurely into the water, crushing parts of the hull and leaving the bow stranded on the shipway, KCNA reported on Thursday in a rare admission of fault from an otherwise highly secretive state. State media reported on Friday that the damage to the warship was less than North Korea's initial estimate, saying there were no holes in the hull, although it was scratched along the starboard side. It also said 'a certain amount of seawater flowed into the stern section.' Repairs could take about 10 days, the report said. Though analysts are skeptical. Kim had ordered the destroyer to be restored before the late June plenary session of the ruling Workers' Party, calling the matter one of national honor. Satellite imagery shows most of the warship covered in blue tarps at the launch site, making it difficult for experts to determine the full extent of the damage it suffered. But analyst Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, said repair work could take up to six months, well beyond Kim's June target. 'If the hull damage extends across the ship's port side covered by the tarp, then we are looking at four to six months of repair work,' he said. Repairs could be complicated depending on the amount of sea water that entered the warship, according to Schuster. The interior of the ship would need to be thoroughly flushed with fresh water and then dried to prevent 'salt crust' from forming on metal surfaces, he said. 'If it gets into joints and things, then it becomes destructive,' Schuster said. But the flushing work cannot begin until the ship is righted and any holes in the hull are patched, he said. KCNA reported Monday that 'the work for completely restoring the balance of the warship is being actively conducted,' but it did not give a timeline. Satellite images from Maxar Technologies taken Sunday and supplied to CNN showed the ship still on its side, still mostly covered in blue tarps as smaller boats swarmed around it. South Korean lawmaker and defense analyst Yu Yong-weon said last week that rushing the launch of the ship likely led to the problems encountered on Wednesday and warned hasty repairs could cause more problems down the line. Schuster echoed that thinking, saying optics may be more important than military value to the Kim regime. 'If Kim Jong Un says, 'I want that ship fitted out in six months,' they'll take shortcuts to make it happen. And usually when you do that you wind up with a ship that's not, shall we say optimal for operations? But it meets the propaganda criteria.' CNN's Yoonjung Seo and Gawon Bae contributed to this report.
