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North Korea’s Damaged 5,000-Ton Destroyer Enters Rajin Dry Dock for Rapid Restoration

State media reports a seven- to ten-day repair period aimed at satisfying a late-June party plenary deadline.

Satellite image showing North Korean Choe Hyon-class destroyer at the Rajin repair facilities.
A satellite image shows a Choe Hyon-class destroyer, which was damaged in May upon its attempted first launch, in Rajin North Korea, June 8, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
Imagery released on June 9, 2025, by Chinese commercial satellite firm MizarVision shows a North Korean navy ship undergoing repairs inside a dry dock at the country's northeastern Rajin shipyard following a botched ship launch in May.
Image

Overview

  • Satellite imagery confirms the capsized destroyer was moved into Rajin’s graving dock by June 8 following its May 21 launch accident.
  • Kim Jong Un has ordered the vessel’s restoration as a matter of national honor ahead of the Workers’ Party plenary session.
  • South Korean military and lawmakers assess that water flooding is the main damage, with structural harm appearing limited.
  • Defense experts say damaged sonar and electronics likely require imported systems, raising the prospect of Russian technical aid.
  • Rajin dry dock sits in the Rason economic zone, a key hub for growing North Korea–Russia military and arms cooperation.