North Korea detains three over accident

North Korea has detained three people over an accident that occurred during the launch of a new warship this past week, state media reported early yesterday.

Pyongyang has said that "a serious accident occurred" at Wednesday's launch ceremony in the eastern port city of Chongjin for a newly built 5,000-ton naval destroyer, in which sections of the bottom of the vessel were crushed.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called the mishap a "criminal act caused by absolute carelessness".

Those detained are Kang Jong Chol, the chief engineer at the Chongjin shipyard; Han Kyong Hak, head of the hull construction workshop; and Kim Yong Hak, deputy manager for administrative affairs, the Korean Central News Agency reported.