Overview

• The Kang Kon, a 5,000-ton Choe Hyon–class destroyer, was fully restored and relaunched at the Rajin shipyard 23 days after tipping over during its first launch attempt.
• Kim Jong Un presided over the ceremony alongside his daughter Ju Ae, praising the shipbuilders for their rapid work.
• Pyongyang blamed the May accident on “criminal negligence,” detaining four officials and reporting the death of a dockyard manager during repairs.
• South Korea’s military and outside analysts question whether the destroyer’s electronics can function normally after weeks submerged and note it was likely towed rather than self-propelled to the launch site.
• North Korea confirmed plans to build two additional 5,000-ton destroyers next year and named the relaunched ship Kang Kon in tribute to a Korean War general.