North Korea Refloats Capsized Destroyer
North Korea has successfully refloated a 5,000-tonne destroyer that capsized during a failed launch on May 21st in the northeastern city of Chongjin. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the vessel was righted and moored at a pier earlier this month before being moved to the Rajin Dockyard for further repairs. Satellite images showed workers using a manual approach involving aerostatic balloons to balance and lift the ship back upright. The process took about two weeks, which is much faster than many analysts had expected.
The incident, witnessed by leader Kim Jong Un, was harshly condemned by him as a "criminal act caused by absolute carelessness," and at least four officials were arrested in connection with the accident. Kim ordered swift repairs ahead of a key ruling party meeting scheduled for late June, emphasizing the warship's importance as part of North Korea’s push to modernize its naval forces. The ship is seen as a crucial asset in this effort, alongside another recently unveiled destroyer called Choe Hyon, which Pyongyang claims will enter service next year and is reportedly equipped with “the most powerful weapons.”
Experts note that while the hull sustained damage during the botched side-launch, it appears less severe than initially feared, giving hope that the ship could be repaired and ready for sea trials sooner than expected. Analysts say restoring internal machinery and electronics will be the next big challenge, but with sufficient resources and talent, North Korea’s leadership seems committed to meeting Kim’s deadline and maintaining the image of a rising military power.
