NKorea Detains 3 Shipyard Officials over Failed Launch of Naval Destroyer

A satellite image shows a North Korean warship covered with a blue tarp after an accident that occurred during its launch at the shipyard in Chongjin, North Korea, May 24, 2025. 2025 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS
A satellite image shows a North Korean warship covered with a blue tarp after an accident that occurred during its launch at the shipyard in Chongjin, North Korea, May 24, 2025. 2025 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS
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NKorea Detains 3 Shipyard Officials over Failed Launch of Naval Destroyer

A satellite image shows a North Korean warship covered with a blue tarp after an accident that occurred during its launch at the shipyard in Chongjin, North Korea, May 24, 2025. 2025 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS
A satellite image shows a North Korean warship covered with a blue tarp after an accident that occurred during its launch at the shipyard in Chongjin, North Korea, May 24, 2025. 2025 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS

North Korea authorities have detained three shipyard officials over the recent failed launch of a naval destroyer, an incident that leader Kim Jong Un said was caused by criminal negligence, state media said Sunday.

The 5,000-ton-class destroyer was damaged Wednesday when a transport cradle on the ship’s stern detached early during a launch ceremony attended by Kim at the northeastern port of Chongjin. Satellite imagery on the site showed the vessel lying on its side and draped in blue covers, with parts of the ship submerged.

The vessel is North Korea’s second known destroyer. The failed launch was subsequently an embarrassment to Kim, who is eager to build greater naval forces to deal with what he calls US-led military threats.

North Korea launched its first destroyer, also a 5,000-ton-class ship, with massive fanfare last month. The ship is North Korea's largest and most advanced warship and state media reported it is designed to carry various weapons including nuclear missiles.

Law enforcement authorities detained the chief engineer, head of the hull construction workshop and deputy manager for administrative affairs at Chongjin Shipyard, who they said were responsible for Wednesday's failed launch, the official Korean Central News Agency said, according to The Associated Press.

Hong Kil Ho, the shipyard manager, also was summoned for questioning, KCNA previously reported.

Kim blamed military officials, scientists and shipyard operators for what he called a “criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.”

In an instruction to investigators Thursday, North Korea’s powerful Central Miliary Commission echoed Kim’s position, saying those responsible “can never evade their responsibility for the crime.”

North Korea denied the warship suffered major damage, saying the hull on the starboard side was scratched and some seawater flowed into the stern section.

North Korea said Friday it needed about 10 days to make repairs, but many outside observers said the country likely understated the damage.



Israel’s Chief of Staff: War Against Iran Is Not Over

A photo released by the Israeli army shows Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at the Glilot intelligence base.
A photo released by the Israeli army shows Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at the Glilot intelligence base.
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Israel’s Chief of Staff: War Against Iran Is Not Over

A photo released by the Israeli army shows Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at the Glilot intelligence base.
A photo released by the Israeli army shows Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir at the Glilot intelligence base.

Israel's Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said Tuesday that the military operation against Iran is not over.

He instructed the army to be prepared for “a continued wide-scale and comprehensive campaign.”

During a rare “multi-front situational assessment” at the Glilot intelligence base - the first of its kind in nearly two years- Zamir said “Iran and its axis remain in our sights. The campaign against Iran is not over.”

He noted that 2026 would be a year focused on preparedness, restoring capabilities, and seizing operational opportunities.

On Tuesday, Zamir and top generals reviewed the operational, intelligence, and strategic picture across all fronts.

“The Israeli Army must operate offensively across multiple arenas alongside vital defense in each sector and along our borders,” he said. “We will continue preserving air superiority and advancing the intelligence effort.”

On Gaza, he described the war there as “one of the most complex” the army has ever faced.

“We have achieved very significant accomplishments, and the Southern Command continues to lead with standing army and reserve brigades in offense and defense. We are paying a heavy price in the fighting,” he said.

Zamir also underscored the need for continued operations in the West Bank, against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and against Iranian targets in Syria.

Meanwhile, former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said if the Iranian regime does not abandon its nuclear program, then Israel may have to strike again.

According to him, the Iranian government poses a serious threat not only to Israel but also to broader regional stability.

Gantz said Israel cannot allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. “We made the right decision with our previous strikes,” he said.

The former minister noted that the best solution to guarantee that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon would be peaceful pressure to compel Tehran to abandon its nuclear activities, but this method does not seem to be working in practice.

Therefore, military measures may return to the agenda, he said.