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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo and agencies

Kim Jong-un furious as North Korea warship partly ‘crushed’ in launch gone wrong

Kim Jong Un speaks during a launch ceremony of a new naval destroyer in April in North Korea.
Kim Jong Un speaks during a launch ceremony of a new naval destroyer in April in North Korea. Photograph: AP

A ceremony to welcome a new addition to North Korea’s naval fleet has ended in embarrassment following a major accident during the ship’s launch that the country’s dictator, Kim Jong-un, described as a “criminal act”.

Kim was present when the 5,000-tonne destroyer appeared to go off balance during its launch in the eastern port city of Chongjin on Wednesday. The tipping caused damage to sections of the hull, the state-run KCNA news agency said on Thursday.

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