SEOUL, South Korea — According to state media KCNA, North Korea has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the mishap that happened during the launching of a warship this week.
Pyongyang stated that the Wednesday incident stemmed from an imbalance during the vessel’s launch, resulting in some sections of the warship’s bottom being crushed.
An internal assessment revealed no holes at the bottom of the warship; however, it identified scratches on the starboard hull and seawater entering the stern section via the rescue channel, the report indicated.
The extent of damage was “not serious,” the report said, adding the investigation group was ordered to find the cause of the accident and those responsible for it. The report did not mention any injuries or deaths as a result of the accident.
The isolated state’s leader, Kim Jong Un, who watched Wednesday’s launch of the 5,000-ton destroyer at the northeastern shipyard of Chongjin, berated it as a “criminal act” that could not be tolerated, according to state media.
The mishap most likely occurred in front of a large crowd, increasing the public humiliation for Kim, military analysts said.
South Korea‘s military said Thursday that the ship was lying on its side in the water.
“The stern is seen swung out into the harbor as a result of the wheeled units placed under the frame sliding into the water while the bow remained on the side slipway,” said the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), citing satellite imagery from Thursday.
The shipyard in Chongjin has primarily produced cargo vessels and fishing vessels and “undoubtedly lacks significant expertise” in launching large warships such as the new destroyer, CSIS added.
It will take two to three days to restore the balance of the warship by pumping up seawater from the flooded chamber and around 10 days to restore the warship’s side, the KCNA report said, citing experts’ estimates.
Treating the accident as a serious matter is part of an effort to fight against “incautiousness” and “irresponsibility,” according to KCNA.
Hong Kil Ho, the manager of the Chongjin shipyard, was summoned to the law enforcement organ on Thursday as it began measures to detain and investigate those responsible for the accident, the report said.
