Recent satellite imagery uncovers the damage sustained by a North Korean warship after a shipyard incident, prompting an investigation led by Kim Jong Un.
Damaged North Korean Warship Revealed in New Satellite Images
Damaged North Korean Warship Revealed in New Satellite Images
Satellite photos expose significant incident at North Korean shipyard amid Kim Jong Un’s scrutiny.
New satellite photos have unveiled the damage to a North Korean warship following a significant accident at a shipyard, an event that caught the attention of the secretive regime's leader, Kim Jong Un. The leaked images depict the warship on its side, covered by large blue tarpaulins, with part of it appearing to rest on dry land.
In the wake of this incident, which Kim has condemned as a "criminal act," an official investigation is reportedly underway, as confirmed by state media on Friday. Notably, initial reports did not indicate any injuries or fatalities related to the accident, which occurred on Thursday in the eastern port city of Chongjin.
The state's official news agency, KCNA, attempted to minimize the severity of the incident, claiming the damage was "not serious" and denying earlier statements about breaches in the ship's hull. The agency disclosed that only the hull's starboard was scratched and that seawater had entered the stern section through a rescue channel.
In response to the incident, the manager of the shipyard, identified as Hong Kil Ho, has been called in for questioning by authorities. According to KCNA, recovery efforts for the destroyer’s side could take approximately 10 days.
Kim Jong Un expressed that the situation arose from "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism," indicating potential repercussions for those responsible during a plenary meeting next month. While the exact nature of any penalties remains uncertain, North Korea's history suggests a grim outlook for those deemed accountable.
This incident marks a rare moment of public acknowledgment from North Korea regarding local accidents, which is not common for the regime. The unfolding events come shortly after the country revealed a new 5,000-ton destroyer named Choe Hyon, which Kim hailed as a significant advancement in modernizing North Korea's naval forces, slated for deployment early next year.
