We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
State media reported on Thursday that a major accident occurred during the launch ceremony of North Korea's new naval destroyer. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called the accident a "criminal act".
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that "a serious accident occurred" during the launching ceremony of a new 5,000-ton ship in the eastern port city of Chongjin on Wednesday.
South Korea's military said North Korea had also fired "several unidentified cruise missiles" on Thursday, which were detected after they were "launched towards the East Sea", also known as the Sea of Japan, near the North's South Hamgyong province.
Blaming "inexperienced command and operational negligence" for the failed launch of the destroyer observed by Kim, KCNA said there was a crash and "parts of the bottom of the warship were crushed." KCNA said that the
accident succeeded in "destroying the balance of the warship". Kim watched the entire incident and declared it a "criminal act caused by complete negligence", warning that it "cannot be tolerated".
He said that the "irresponsible mistakes" of the responsible officials "will be addressed in the full meeting of the party central committee to be called next month". South Korea's military has said that US and Seoul intelligence officials believe the North Korean ship's "side-launch attempt" failed.
"The side-launch method used in this case is no longer used by the South Korean military," Lee Sung-joon, spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters. According to
Lee, the ship is currently sinking. Based on its size and measurements, it is believed to be similar to the 5,000-ton destroyer-class warship Cho Hyeon. Cho Hyeon was released by North Korea last month.
Last month, Pyongyang's state media published a photo of Kim with his daughter Ju Ae attending Cho Hyeon's inauguration ceremony. Ju Ae was considered by many experts as a possible successor to Kim.
North Korea has claimed that the ship is equipped with the 'most powerful weapon' and that it will 'come into operation early next year'.
Some analysts say the ship may be equipped with short-range strategic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. However, North Korea has not proven that it has the ability to miniaturize its nuclear arsenal.
