Overview

• The 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer capsized during its May 21 launch when the bow remained grounded and the stern floated free.
• Kim Jong Un declared the ship’s restoration a matter of national honor and ordered repairs to conclude by the ruling Workers’ Party’s late-June session.
• After being refloated on June 3, state media reported that the overhaul would require seven to ten days at the Rajin facility.
• South Korean analysts assess that water ingress, rather than major hull damage, is the primary issue technicians must address.
• The Rajin transfer underscores expanding North Korea–Russia military ties highlighted by reciprocal munitions shipments and technology exchanges.