North Korea replaces senior military officials after botched warship launch

ANKARA

North Korea replaced senior military officials during a meeting of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, state-run media reported Friday.

The meeting was held Wednesday, chaired by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The commission appointed six commanding officers of corps-level units, the director of the Artillery Bureau and the director of the Security Bureau and newly dispatched some political commissars, it said.

The latest development comes after a new 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer was damaged last week during its launch ceremony.

The accident occurred in Chongjin, a port city on North Korea's northeastern coast, when the warship’s stern slid ahead of the bow, causing structural damage and preventing the vessel from fully leaving the shipway.

Kim condemned the accident as a “criminal act” stemming from “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism” and promised to punish those responsible.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA

North Korea replaced senior military officials during a meeting of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, state-run media reported Friday.

The meeting was held Wednesday, chaired by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The latest development comes after a new 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer was damaged last week during its launch ceremony.

Kim condemned the accident as a “criminal act” stemming from “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism” and promised to punish those responsible.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid