Pyongyang [North Korea], May 26: North Korean state media said the destroyer that suffered a launch failure is now being repaired and an investigation is ongoing.
A new North Korean destroyer that was damaged when it was launched last week is currently being repaired and another official has been detained for investigation, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on May 26.
The investigation team reported its work to the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea on May 25. Authorities then summoned and arrested Mr. Ri Hyong-son, deputy head of the party's munitions industry department, in connection with the incident.
KCNA said Mr Ri's arrest was based on data from the investigation team, describing Mr Ri as "bearing great responsibility" for the incident.
"At the scene of the destroyer launch incident, work to fully restore the balance of the warship is being actively carried out under the technical guidance of a team of experts on schedule," according to the news release.
The destroyer listed and partially sank during a launching ceremony at the eastern port city of Chongjin in North Korea on May 21, causing damage to its hull.
Attending the event, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un criticized the incident as an "unacceptable crime," blaming "absolute negligence and irresponsibility," and ordered the ship's restoration to be completed by June.
As part of the investigation into the incident, authorities have arrested Kang Jong-chol, chief engineer of Chongjin Shipyard; Han Kyong-hak, head of the shipyard; and Kim Yong-hak, deputy director of administrative affairs.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
