A second North Korean destroyer was damaged in a botched launch this week, state media reported.
The event was an embarrassment to leader Kim Jong-un, who has been seeking to improve his navy.
It is unusual for North Korea to admit to military failures, but experts say the reported botched launch suggests Mr Kim is serious about his naval development program and confident he will eventually achieve his ambitious goals.
The newly built 5,000-ton destroyer was disabled and suffered holes in its bottom during its launch at the northeastern port of Chongjin on Wednesday after a transport cradle at the stern slid off first and became stuck, the Korean Central News Agency reported.
KCNA did not provide details on the cause of the problem, the extent of the damage or the casualties.
Mr Kim, who attended the ceremony, accused the military, scientists and shipyard workers of “a serious accident and a criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific behavior,” according to KCNA.
Mr Kim called for a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, scheduled for late June, to discuss their “irresponsible mistakes”.
“It's a shame. But the reason North Korea disclosed the incident is because it wants to show that it is accelerating the modernization of its navy and express confidence that it can eventually build” a more powerful fleet, said Moon Geun-sik, a naval expert at Hanyang University in Seoul.
Mr Moon suggested the incident was likely due to North Korean workers being undertrained to operate such a large warship, leading to a rush to launch it.
The damaged ship was likely the same class as the country's first destroyer, unveiled on April 25, which experts have described as North Korea's largest and most advanced warship to date.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
