Kim promised to punish those responsible for the “catastrophic failure” after the naval vessel partially capsized during a ceremony attended by the leader.

North Korea has opened an investigation into a failed warship launch earlier this week after leader Kim Jong Un said the accident threatened the country's dignity, state media reported. On May 21, Kim was in attendance at a launch ceremony for a new naval destroyer when a "serious accident" occurred,

North Korea has begun a full-scale investigation into the accident that occurred during the launch of a warship earlier this week, state media KCNA reported on Friday. KCNA previously said the incident was caused by a loss of balance while the vessel was being launched and sections of the bottom of the warship were crushed.