North Korea successfully launched a 5,000-tonne destroyer on Thursday, two weeks after a failed attempt that saw the vessel tip over, prompting sharp rebuke from leader Kim Jong Un.
The warship, now stabilized and moored at a pier, was restored through manual efforts involving workers pulling tethers and using barrage balloons, according to satellite imagery analyzed by 38 North, a U.S.-based research group.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the ship is expected to be fully operational before a key Workers' Party meeting later this month.
Kim, who personally observed the initial mishap, labeled it a "criminal act" that tarnished North Korea’s "dignity and pride," attributing the failure to "carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism."
In response, at least four officials, including Ri Hyong-son, deputy director of the Workers' Party Munitions Industry Department, were arrested.
Ri, a member of the Central Military Commission overseeing the Korean People’s Army, faces an uncertain fate in a regime known for harsh penalties, including forced labor or execution for such failures.
The botched launch drew significant attention, with analysts interpreting Kim’s severe reaction as a reflection of Pyongyang’s commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities.
Jihoon Yu, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, noted that the regime is "deeply invested in projecting a rising military power."
The failure likely strengthened their resolve to advance military modernization, with Kim’s response aimed at safeguarding his authority and image.
Michael Madden, a North Korea expert at the Stimson Center, highlighted the "high priority" the regime places on warship development.
Just weeks prior, Pyongyang unveiled another warship, which Kim praised as a "breakthrough" for modernizing the navy, with plans for its deployment in early 2026.
The successful launch of the restored destroyer underscores North Korea’s determination to overcome setbacks and project strength, despite the earlier embarrassment that exposed vulnerabilities in its military ambitions.
Source: BBC
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