Pyongyang - (Saba):
North Korea has arrested a fourth official over an accident that led to the failure of the launch of a new warship last week, damaging the 5,000-ton destroyer.
Pyongyang announced a "serious accident" on Wednesday during the launch of a newly built 5,000-ton destroyer in the eastern coastal city of Chongjin, resulting in parts of the ship's bottom being crushed.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un described the incident as a "criminal act of utter negligence."
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency reported Monday that Ri Hyong Son, deputy director of the Central Committee's munitions industry department, was summoned and detained on Sunday.
It added that he "was highly responsible for the serious accident."
Ri is the fourth person to be arrested in connection with the incident, after three people were detained over the weekend, including the shipyard's chief engineer.
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) earlier reported that those arrested were Kang Jong Chol, chief engineer at the Chongjin Shipyard; Han Kyong Hak, head of the hull construction workshop; and Kim Yong Hak, deputy director of administrative affairs.