In a significant military development, North Korea has reported the successful relaunch of its 5,000-ton naval destroyer, just weeks after the vessel capsized during its initial launch attempt.
North Korea Celebrates Successful Relaunch of Warship After Troubling First Try
North Korea Celebrates Successful Relaunch of Warship After Troubling First Try
Pyongyang announces the successful relaunch of its new naval destroyer, enhancing military capabilities amid international scrutiny.
The article text:
North Korea has announced the successful relaunch of its new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, just under a month after the vessel capsized during its first attempted launch, according to state-run media reports. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, had been visibly upset following the failed launch in May, leading to the immediate arrest of several officials linked to the incident, including three shipyard personnel and one senior naval official.
According to state media, the warship has now been completely repaired; however, experts cast doubts on the thoroughness of these repairs considering the rapid turnaround. Kim, along with his daughter Kim Ju Ae, presided over the launch ceremony held at Rajin Port in northern North Korea, with KCNA releasing images from the event.
This destroyer marks one of two new 5,000-ton naval vessels completed by North Korea in recent months, representing the largest additions to Pyongyang's naval fleet and possessing capabilities that could potentially include launching nuclear weapons. Kim has emphasized the development of a nuclear-capable naval force, indicating plans to construct two additional destroyers within the next year.
The new destroyer has been named "Kang Kon," after a North Korean general who fought in the Korean War. Prior to the relaunch, satellite imagery captured the damaged vessel in the harbor, followed by movement to a repair facility, and finally its refloating before being secured at the pier. During the launch event, Kim stated that the failed initial attempt would not hinder North Korea's military modernization efforts, declaring that "soon, enemies will experience how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters."
North Korea has announced the successful relaunch of its new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, just under a month after the vessel capsized during its first attempted launch, according to state-run media reports. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, had been visibly upset following the failed launch in May, leading to the immediate arrest of several officials linked to the incident, including three shipyard personnel and one senior naval official.
According to state media, the warship has now been completely repaired; however, experts cast doubts on the thoroughness of these repairs considering the rapid turnaround. Kim, along with his daughter Kim Ju Ae, presided over the launch ceremony held at Rajin Port in northern North Korea, with KCNA releasing images from the event.
This destroyer marks one of two new 5,000-ton naval vessels completed by North Korea in recent months, representing the largest additions to Pyongyang's naval fleet and possessing capabilities that could potentially include launching nuclear weapons. Kim has emphasized the development of a nuclear-capable naval force, indicating plans to construct two additional destroyers within the next year.
The new destroyer has been named "Kang Kon," after a North Korean general who fought in the Korean War. Prior to the relaunch, satellite imagery captured the damaged vessel in the harbor, followed by movement to a repair facility, and finally its refloating before being secured at the pier. During the launch event, Kim stated that the failed initial attempt would not hinder North Korea's military modernization efforts, declaring that "soon, enemies will experience how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters."
