North Korea: destroyer launch fails, four officials arrested

Milan, 26 May (LaPresse) – North Korea has announced that the authorities have arrested four officials following the recent failure of a destroyer launch. The 5,000-tonne destroyer was damaged on Wednesday during a launch ceremony in the north-eastern port of Chongjin. Leader Kim Jong Un claims that the accident was caused by criminal negligence. State media reported on Monday that law enforcement officials had arrested Ri Hyong Son, deputy director of the munitions industry department at the ruling Workers' Party Central Committee, who was described as ‘largely responsible’ for the launch failure. State media had previously reported that three officials from the Chongjin shipyard had also been arrested following the incident.