North Korea's brand new warship is still capsized weeks after it sank during a high-profile launch that ended in catastrophy and left leader fuming.

Satellite imagery show the guided-missile Choe Hyon-class destroyer remains half-submerged and on its side at the Cheongjin Shipyard after the disastrous events of May 21, indicating possible failures with recovery efforts.

Its position has not changed compared to pictures released in the days following the incident, with reports claiming a dozen large air balloons have been deployed to relieve the pressure on its hull and prevent it from sinking further.

The anticlimactic launch ceremony for the 5,000-ton vessel took place in full view of who was in attendance to witness the embarrassment first-hand.

In what was supposed to be a huge moment for the dictator and his country sooned turned into a nightmare as officials made an error in the launch sequence.

The stern sled released prematurely and left it stranded with the bow helplessly stuck. Its balance was thrown off with damage in the form of dents appearing on the hull, grinding the entire process to a halt.

branded the blunder a "serious accident that could not have happened, could not be tolerated," adding that it was "a criminal act caused by pure carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism."

He warned the everyone responsible for the mistake would be held fully accountable for what transpired.

"Urgent restoration of the destroyer is not a simple practical issue but a political issue directly related to the authority of the state," the supreme leader said.

He demanded its recovery should be "completed unconditionally" before a party plenum is held to discuss the situation in late June. But it seems the process of getting the ship back in working order has faced a roadblock or two.

Local media claimed it would be quick, with experts suggesting it'd take between two to three days to restore the ship's balance, '10-odd days' to restore the damaged hull and more-predictions now evidently inaccurate.

The Korean Central News Agency reports a number of arrests have since taken place, including the Chongjin Shipyard manager.