In a remarkable turn of events, North Korea has successfully refloated a 5,000-tonne destroyer that capsized during a recent launch attempt. According to state-run news agency KCNA, the warship was “safely entered the water vertically” and is now moored at a pier, marking a significant comeback after its earlier mishap, which had drawn condemnation from Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea Successfully Refloats Warship After Flawed Launch Attempt
North Korea Successfully Refloats Warship After Flawed Launch Attempt
North Korea's recent efforts to restore a capsized warship highlight ongoing military ambitions and internal accountability in Kim Jong Un's regime.
The warship, which was restored to balance earlier this week, was launched on Thursday and is slated for complete repairs ahead of an important meeting involving top officials in the one-party state, KCNA reported. Satellite images from outlets like 38 North and NK News show the vessel upright at its berth and later identified as “floating in the harbor.”
The salvage operation to upright the ship, which took place on Thursday, was a manual endeavor, evidenced by satellite imagery that captured workers on the quay using tethers and barrage balloons to restore the vessel's balance. Some balloons remained affixed to the warship post-operation.
Kim Jong Un, who had personally observed the warship's earlier distress, condemned the incident, branding it a “criminal act” that undermined the country’s dignity. In a pointed criticism, he condemned the failure as the result of “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.”
In the wake of the incident, at least four officials, including prominent members of the ruling Workers' Party's Munitions Industry Department, have been detained. The fate of these officials remains uncertain, but the regime is known for issuing heavy penalties ranging from forced labor to death for failures deemed significant.
Analysts speculate that Kim's swift and harsh response to the botched launch signals Pyongyang's intent to persist in enhancing its military capabilities. Observers argue such measures reveal North Korea's obsession with projecting military power, as Kim aims to protect his image within the regime.
Just weeks prior to the recent failed launch, Pyongyang had unveiled a similar naval vessel, which Kim labeled a "breakthrough” in the modernization of North Korea's navy, underscoring his commitment to advancing naval warfare capabilities. As tensions continue to simmer in the region, the question remains whether North Korea's ambitions will succeed or provoke further conflict with its southern neighbor.
The salvage operation to upright the ship, which took place on Thursday, was a manual endeavor, evidenced by satellite imagery that captured workers on the quay using tethers and barrage balloons to restore the vessel's balance. Some balloons remained affixed to the warship post-operation.
Kim Jong Un, who had personally observed the warship's earlier distress, condemned the incident, branding it a “criminal act” that undermined the country’s dignity. In a pointed criticism, he condemned the failure as the result of “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.”
In the wake of the incident, at least four officials, including prominent members of the ruling Workers' Party's Munitions Industry Department, have been detained. The fate of these officials remains uncertain, but the regime is known for issuing heavy penalties ranging from forced labor to death for failures deemed significant.
Analysts speculate that Kim's swift and harsh response to the botched launch signals Pyongyang's intent to persist in enhancing its military capabilities. Observers argue such measures reveal North Korea's obsession with projecting military power, as Kim aims to protect his image within the regime.
Just weeks prior to the recent failed launch, Pyongyang had unveiled a similar naval vessel, which Kim labeled a "breakthrough” in the modernization of North Korea's navy, underscoring his commitment to advancing naval warfare capabilities. As tensions continue to simmer in the region, the question remains whether North Korea's ambitions will succeed or provoke further conflict with its southern neighbor.
