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3mo ago

North Korea Rights Capsized Destroyer, Begins Rajin Drydock Repairs

The ship has been pulled upright at Chongjin with plans for seven to 10 days of repairs at a Rajin drydock ahead of a late-June party meeting.

A satellite image shows a North Korean warship covered with a blue tarp after an accident that occurred during its launch at the shipyard in Chongjin, North Korea, May 24, 2025. 2025 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
Image
A North Korean warship, seen here before the accident, has been righted after a botched launch at the harbor last month crushed sections of the underside
This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says the test-firings, conducted on April 28 and April 29, 2025, of missiles from a newly launched destroyer "Choe Hyon" at an undisclosed place in North Korea.

Overview

  • Commercial satellite imagery from June 2 showed the Choe Hyon–class destroyer standing upright for the first time since its May 21 capsizing at Chongjin port.
  • Kim Jong Un condemned the failed launch as a “criminal act” caused by absolute carelessness and demanded full restoration before a late-June Workers’ Party session.
  • State security agencies have detained several officials, including chief engineer Kang Jong Chol, in a full-scale investigation of the botched launch.
  • Analysts warn the vessel’s sonar bow likely suffered damage and note Chongjin shipyard lacks the drydock infrastructure needed for large-ship repairs.
  • Pyongyang has begun detailed restoration efforts at a Rajin drydock, drawing close scrutiny from South Korean and U.S. intelligence.