North Korea detains officials over warship accident, state media says

SEOUL - North Korea has detained shipyard officials responsible for a recent major accident during the launch of a new warship, state media said on May 25.

The failed launch

that crippled the 5,000-tonne warship was witnessed by leader Kim Jong Un, who said the accident damaged the country's dignity and vowed to punish those found responsible.

The mishap likely occurred in front of a large crowd at the north-eastern port of Chongjin, increasing the public humiliation for Mr Kim, who tried to show off military might, experts say.

As the investigation into the case intensified, the law enforcement authorities arrested the chief engineer of the Chongjin Shipyard among others, state KCNA news agency reported on May 25.

Satellite imagery shows the warship, covered in blue tarps, lying on its side, with the stern swung out into the harbour, but the bow remaining on the side slipway, according to the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Mr Kim has ordered the ship restored before a ruling party meeting in June.

KCNA said the rehabilitation plan was pushing ahead.

Against US military build-up in the region, North Korea's armed forces “will thoroughly contain and control all sorts of military threats from the enemy countries”, KCNA said, in a separate dispatch citing the policy chief at the defence ministry. REUTERS