Satellite images captured the damage sustained by North Korea’s new warship during its failed launch at a shipyard in the city of Chongjin, in the presence of Kim Jong Un.

The ship appears tilted in the water, covered with large blue tarpaulins, while part of it rests on the ground, outside the water.

According to a statement from the state news agency KCNA, the authorities have launched an official investigation into the incident, which the country’s leader described as a “criminal act.” The same source reported that there were no injuries or casualties from the accident, which occurred on Thursday.

KCNA downplayed the severity of the incident, stating that “the damage was not serious” and clarified that “there are no holes in the bottom of the ship.” According to the statement, the right side of the destroyer sustained scratches, and a small amount of water entered the rear section.

The ship before its launch:

The ship after its launch:

The director of the shipyard, Hong Gil Ho, has been summoned by the authorities to provide explanations. The repair of the damage is estimated to take about ten days.

During his remarks on Thursday, Kim Jong Un attributed the incident to negligence and emphasized that the responsible individuals would be held accountable.

The accident occurred just a few weeks after the unveiling of the new 5,000-ton destroyer “Choe Hyon,” which North Korea had hailed as a technological achievement and was scheduled to become operational early next year.