North Korea Naval Shipyard Incident: Damage and Investigation

A satellite image has showcased the damage from a recent accident at a North Korean naval shipyard, which has left the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, quite upset.

On Wednesday, Kim observed the aftermath of a 5,000-ton destroyer that was partially “crushed” during its launch at a shipyard in Chongjin, located in the northeast. State media reported that Kim deemed the event a “criminal act.”

The satellite photos indicate that while the bow of the ship remains on land, the stern is submerged in water. This affected vessel is draped with a large blue tarpaulin.

North Korea has announced that a comprehensive investigation into the incident is underway.

According to officials in Pyongyang, the mishap occurred due to a loss of balance during the ship’s launch, resulting in significant damage to the warship’s bottom.

Inspections revealed that although there were no holes at the bottom, the hull on the right side was scratched, and seawater had seeped into the stern via the rescue channel, as reported.

While the damage was described as “not serious,” authorities have tasked the investigative team with uncovering the cause of the incident and identifying those responsible. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities linked to the accident.

Military analysts pointed out that the accident took place in front of a large audience, exacerbating the public’s embarrassment toward Kim.

South Korean forces reported on Thursday that the ship was indeed partially submerged.

The US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that they’re able to see the stern extending into the port, while the bow remains on the slipway, confirmed by satellite images.

Chongjin’s shipyards primarily focus on producing cargo and fishing vessels, and CSIS mentioned they might not possess the necessary expertise for launching larger warships like new destroyers.

Based on estimates from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), restoring the balance of the affected warship is expected to take two to three days, with the complete restoration process potentially lasting around ten days.

Addressing such incidents seriously is part of an initiative aimed at reducing “contradictions” and “irresponsibility,” according to KCNA.

On Thursday, Hong Kil Ho, the manager of Chongjin Shipyards, was summoned by law enforcement as he initiated measures to detain and investigate the individual deemed responsible for the accident.