North Korea’s North Korean destroyer tilted during launch, surprising naval analyst
North Korea said it had successfully re-erupted a new destroyer that capsized during its launch last month, with state media reporting that the damaged ship would be moved to a dry dock at another shipyard for repair.
“After the regaining balance of the destroyer in early June, the team ended safely on Thursday afternoon, anchoring it at the dock.”
A satellite photo taken by Planetary Laboratory on June 5 shows that the ship that had previously hit was right water, which appeared to float on the catastrophic launch dock.
The 5,000-ton destroyer is the country’s newest warship and was originally a victory for North Korea’s ambitious naval modernization efforts.
KCNA reported at the time that instead, the launch mechanism on May 21 failed, causing the stern to slide into the water prematurely, crushing parts of the hull and stolen the bow and arrow on the ship. A day later, state media reported that the damage was not as severe as initially worried.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju Ae, attended a ceremony in Nampo, North Korea, in this summary image released by North Korea’s Central News Agency – KCNA/REUTERS – KCNA/REUTERS on April 26, 2025.
Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un witnessed a failed launch in the northeastern city of Chongjin, calling it a “criminal act”, and the government quickly said it had arrested four people who claimed the accident claimed it was the person who caused the launch.
King ordered officials to quickly repair the yet-unnamed ship before the late June plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party, calling it a question of national honor.
KCNA reported on Friday that King’s goal will be achieved.
“The next phase of meticulous restoration will be conducted at the dry dock at Larkin Shipyard for 7-10 days,” KCNA reported.
The rapid action to reflect the ship surprised analysts, who based on satellite images of the accident, thought the process would take longer.
“Pure human power, let’s face it — an innovative way to correct the ship, providing a solution in two weeks, and people like me didn’t expect to have four or six.”
Satellite images show that this innovative approach is clearly using air balloons attached to the hull to help balance and reflect it.
Maxar images show efforts to conceal the damaged destroyer of the Hambuk shipyard one day after the failed launch. -Maxar/DigitalGlobe/Getty Images
When the hull saw what happened on May 21, the damage to the hull was less than what analysts expected.
During side launch, the ship should slide into the water from the side, while the stern of the warship slides into the water, while the bow and arrow remain on land.
Analysts believe that in such accidents, pressure on the hull and keel may cause it to be scrapped.
But “hull damage must be less than estimated,” Schuster said.
If North Korea can do the same to do internal repairs to warships, it can prepare sea trials for early sea trials, which he would think of after the accident, Schuster said.
He said that during the repair process, the ship’s internal space, as well as machinery and electronic equipment, must remove seawater and dry salt.
“If you’re willing to invest resources and have people to hire it, almost everything is feasible,” Schuster said.
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