North Korea said it has refloated a capsized 5,000-ton destroyer and towed it to the northeastern port of Chonglin for repairs, a key step in restoring what it called a major upgrade to Kim Jong Un’s naval arsenal. The development was reported by North Korean state media on Friday, June 6, and confirmed by satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters earlier this week.
Repairs underway
According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), technicians will inspect the hull before beginning full restoration work. The next phase – drying out the ship’s electronics and other seawater-damaged systems – is expected to take up to 10 days at a dry dock in the nearby port of Rajin, according to the Associated Press.
Satellite imagery taken by Planet Labs on Thursday, June 5, shows the warship upright and afloat near the same pier where the launch mishap occurred.
What we know about the ship
The high-tech destroyer is Pyongyang’s newest and most advanced warship. It’s part of a broader shift to modernize North Korea’s navy, whose fleet still includes Soviet-era ships in poor condition. The destroyer is believed to be the second of its class, following one unveiled in April. North Korea touted the vessel as its largest and most technologically sophisticated to date.
State media claims the ship is equipped with air and missile defense systems and can launch nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles. During a previous missile test, Kim Jong Un personally observed as the ship conducted a live-fire drill. The destroyer is expected to enter active service by early 2026.
Moscow’s role and military impact
Western analysts believe the ship was built with the help of Moscow and warned that while Pyongyang’s naval technology remains inferior to those of Western powers, the new destroyers are still a potential threat that boosts North Korea’s military capabilities.
The launch failure on May 21 was reportedly caused by a new technique North Korea was testing, which caused the ship to slide off the slipway prematurely. The hull was smashed in the fall, though the bow remained stuck on the ramp. Just one day later, state media claimed the damage was not as severe as initially believed – a conclusion echoed by analysts who examined satellite images.
Fallout from the embarrassment
Kim Jong Un labeled the incident an act of “criminal negligence” and ordered punishment for those involved. He said the mishap harmed “the prestige of the state” and vowed consequences at a forthcoming ruling party meeting later this month. At least four officials have been detained.
Beating the clock
Kim has reportedly ordered repairs be completed in time for that party meeting – a timeline many experts were skeptical of. According to KCNA, the effort is on track and promises “the perfect restoration of the destroyer will be completed without fail.”
The speed of the operation has surprised military observers.
“Sheer manpower and – let’s face it – an innovative approach to righting the ship, delivered a solution in two weeks that people like me didn’t expect for four to six,” analyst Carl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain, told CNN.
How was the destroyer refloated?
CNN reports that North Korea was able to refloat the ship by attaching “aerostatic balloons” to the vessel’s hull to balance and subsequently get it upright again, as shown by satellite imagery.
Schuster added that if Pyongyang can coordinate the same resourcefulness to repairs, the destroyer may be ready for operations much sooner than expected.
“Nearly everything is doable if you are willing to commit the resources and have the human talent to employ it,” Schuster said.
