In a notable recovery, North Korea has successfully refloated a warship approximately two weeks after it capsized during a launch attempt, prompting stern criticism from leader Kim Jong Un. The state-run news agency KCNA reported that the vessel, a 5,000-tonne destroyer, was re-stabilized and moored at a pier after being launched in a maneuver described as complex and labor-intensive. Satellite images documented the ship standing upright and then later floating in the harbor, indicating the successful recovery effort, which utilized manual methods involving tethers and balloons.
North Korea Successfully Rebalances Warship Following Launch Mishap
North Korea Successfully Rebalances Warship Following Launch Mishap
North Korea's military vessel refloats in a historic maneuver just weeks after capsized launch incident.
Kim Jong Un had previously denounced the initial incident as a "criminal act" that tarnished the dignity of the nation, leading to the arrest of multiple officials responsible for the mishap. Analysts suggest that this strong reaction signifies North Korea's determination to enhance its military capabilities, as the regime is keenly focused on projecting an image of a burgeoning military power. Kim's severe measures seem to serve dual purposes: to reinforce his leadership and to reassert a commitment to modernizing the nation's naval forces ahead of an important party meeting.
