A statement from North Korea on its handling of the botched launch came after leader Kim Jong Un expressed fury over the incident that he said was caused by criminal negligence. The main military committee said Friday that those responsible would be held accountable for their “unpardonable criminal act.”

Kim promised to punish those responsible for the “catastrophic failure” after the naval vessel partially capsized during a ceremony attended by the leader.

North Korea has opened an investigation into a failed warship launch earlier this week after leader Kim Jong Un said the accident threatened the country's dignity, state media reported. On May 21, Kim was in attendance at a launch ceremony for a new naval destroyer when a "serious accident" occurred,