North Korean authorities have detained a fourth senior official in connection with the failed launch of a newly constructed warship, which has reportedly angered Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

According to a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday, Ri Hyong-son, the deputy director of the Workers’ Party’s Munitions Industry Department, has been held responsible for the mishap. The incident involved the capsizing and subsequent damage of a 5,000-ton destroyer, which Kim reportedly described as a “grave offense” that tarnished national honor and pride.

KCNA reported that the vessel is currently undergoing repairs under the supervision of a specialized technical team.

Ri, who also serves on the Central Military Commission—an influential body that oversees the Korean People’s Army and directs military strategy—is the highest-ranking individual detained so far over the incident.

Earlier in the weekend, three additional officials were arrested at the Chongjin shipyard in northern North Korea, where the destroyer was constructed and launched. These included the chief engineer, the head of construction, and a senior administrative figure.

Kim Jong Un attributed the failure to what he described as a combination of “gross negligence, lack of accountability, and unscientific practices.” The specific penalties the detained individuals may face remain unknown, though the country has previously imposed severe punishments, including forced labor or execution, for similar failings.

While it is rare for Pyongyang to publicly acknowledge internal accidents, it has occasionally done so in the past—particularly in relation to unsuccessful satellite launches.

Experts suggest Kim’s reaction could be an attempt to reaffirm his commitment to strengthening North Korea’s military capabilities. Former South Korean special forces commander Chun In-bum noted the unusual transparency in state media coverage, suggesting it may reflect a strategic display of resilience and authority.

“North Korea may be signaling a readiness to assert itself more aggressively in regional military affairs, especially with this new class of naval vessels,” Chun said.

Michael Madden, a North Korea analyst at the Stimson Center in Washington, interpreted Kim’s response as indicative of the high strategic value placed on naval modernization. He speculated that the incident may have been the result of excessive internal demands on both personnel and production schedules.

The shipyard failure follows the recent unveiling of a similar warship in a different region, which Kim had hailed as a significant advancement in naval modernization and slated for deployment in the coming year.