North Korea pulls capsized warship upright after botched launch, report says

The imagery shows the vessel's bow still on land, with possible damage to its sonar section. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Jun 04, 2025, 11:52 AM

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SEOUL - North Korea appears to have returned to an upright position its stricken Choe Hyon-class destroyer that partially capsized during a botched launching ceremony, US researchers said on June 4.

Leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the failed launch of the 5,000-ton warship, said the accident damaged the country's dignity and vowed to punish those found responsible.

Commercial satellite imagery from June 2 showed the destroyer upright for the first time since the May 21 accident, the 38 North programme, which studies the nuclear-armed North, said in a report.

Since the accident, North Korea has said it detained several officials, and Mr Kim ordered the ship restored before a ruling party meeting in June.

"Commercial satellite imagery shows workers at the port in Chongjin have taken a significant step towards that goal," 38 North said in its report.

Workers were observed pulling tethers, and possibly using barrage balloons, in a manual effort to right the ship, it added.

The imagery shows the vessel's bow still on land, with possible damage to its sonar section.

"To repair this, the ship will need to be moved out of the water to either a large floating dry dock or graving dock once afloat," 38 North said. "However, Chongjin’s shipyard does not offer this infrastructure."

The east coast shipyard has turned out primarily cargo and fishing vessels and lacks significant expertise in launching large warships such as the new destroyer, other military experts have said. REUTERS

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