North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure

The Workers' Party official was "largely responsible" for the botched launch, state media said.

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Ri Hyong-son, deputy director of the ruling Workers' Party's Munitions Industry Department, was "largely responsible for the serious accident" last week, state-run news agency KCNA said on Monday.

The 5,000-ton destroyer had tipped over and damaged its hull, in what Kim described as a "criminal act" that "severely damaged the [country's] dignity and pride".

The vessel is being repaired under the guidance of an expert group, KCNA said.

Mr Ri, who is part of the party's Central Military Commission, is the highest level official arrested over the incident so far.