North Korea announced that it has successfully refloated its newest destroyer, which had capsized during its launch last month. State media reported that the ship was balanced and moved safely to a pier before being transferred to a dry dock at a different shipyard for repairs. Satellite images confirmed the vessel was righted and afloat away from the original launch site.
North Korea’s Destroyer Launch Fails, Causing Damage And Prompting Urgent Repair Orders
The 5,000-ton warship, part of North Korea’s naval modernization, suffered a malfunction in its launch mechanism on May 21. This caused the stern to slide prematurely into the water, damaging the hull while leaving the bow stuck on land.
Though initial fears about the damage were severe, later reports from state media suggested the impact was less serious. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the failed launch, condemned the incident as a “criminal act” and ordered quick repairs, with four people arrested over the accident.
North Korea Rapidly Refloats Damaged Destroyer After Botched Launch as Kim Demands Swift RepairsKim Jong Un emphasized the urgency of restoring the destroyer ahead of a major political meeting scheduled for late June, framing the repair effort as a matter of national pride. The Korean Central News Agency stated that the next phase of repairs would take place at the Rajin Dockyard dry dock, with a top official assuring the destroyer’s full restoration before the ruling party’s plenary session.
Innovative Refloating Surprises Analysts And Repairs Could Ready North Korea’s Destroyer Quickly
Analysts were surprised by how quickly North Korea refloated the vessel, as they initially expected the process to take much longer. Satellite imagery suggested the use of aerostatic balloons attached to the hull helped balance and raise the ship. The damage to the hull and keel appeared less extensive than initially feared, indicating that scrapping the ship might not be necessary.
Experts believe that if North Korea applies the same dedication to internal repairs as it did to refloating the ship, the destroyer could be ready for sea trials sooner than anticipated. Critical work includes removing seawater and salt from internal spaces, machinery, and electronics. According to a former US Navy captain, the repair is feasible with sufficient resources and skilled labor, suggesting North Korea may soon restore its naval assets to operational status.