North Korea: Kim Jong-un denounces 'serious' accident at warship launching ceremony

A "serious accident" occurred during a North Korean warship launching ceremony, leader Kim Jong-un denounced on Thursday, May 22, referring to a "criminal act" , according to the official agency of the hermit kingdom.

At a launching ceremony for a 5,000-ton destroyer in the northeastern port city of Chongjin on Wednesday, "a serious accident occurred," the official KCNA news agency said. Kim Jong-un witnessed the entire sequence and said it was a "criminal act caused by absolute negligence" that "could not be tolerated ." Pointing to "command inexperience and operational negligence" during the launch, the agency said that " some sections of the warship's bottom were crushed" and that the accident "destroyed the warship's balance ." Kim Jong-un said the "irresponsible mistakes" of the guilty officials would be "dealt with at the plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee to be held next month."

The name of the ship was not specified. Last month, Pyongyang unveiled a 5,000-ton destroyer-class ship, named Choe Hyon . At the time, state media broadcast footage of Kim attending a ceremony with his daughter Ju Ae, who many experts believe will succeed him. North Korea claimed the ship was equipped with the "most powerful weapons" and would "enter service early next year ." Some experts said the Choe Hyon could be equipped with short-range tactical nuclear missiles, although North Korea has not proven it can miniaturize its nuclear weapons.