South Korea's Yonhap News Agency has reported that a "serious accident" occurred during the launch of a new North Korean warship earlier this week.
According to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, the accident occurred as the 5,000-tonne vessel was being launched into the water during a ceremony at a shipyard in the port city of Chongjin on Wednesday, May 21.
The launch and the reported mishap were witnessed by the country's leader Kim Jong-un, who was also present at Wednesday's ceremony.
Some sections of the hull bottom of the ship reportedly became "crushed." This then affected the vessel's balance and has prevented the bow from leaving the slipway.
Kim said that the accident was a "criminal act" caused by carelessness and irresponsibility and that it could not be tolerated. He has also since ordered that an investigation team be formed to look into the probable causes of the accident.
Sources said that the damaged ship belongs to the same class as the 5,000-tonne "multipurpose destroyer" that was launched late last month (pictured).