North Korea salvages capsized destroyer after Kim Yong-un slams 'criminal' failed launch

The incident drew fierce criticism from the North Korean dictator, who called the mishap a “criminal act,” resulting in the arrest of several officials.

North Korea has salvaged a capsized destroyer and moored it at the northeastern port of Chongjin, state media confirmed Friday, as repair efforts continue on what Kim Jong-un has labelled a “significant asset” for the country’s nuclear-armed military.The state-run Korean Central News Agency said naval experts will examine the vessel’s hull before moving it to a dry dock in the nearby port of Rajin, where restoration work is expected to take between seven and 10 days.The development aligns with assessments from South Korea’s military and satellite imagery taken Thursday by Planet Labs, which showed the warship upright and afloat after days of listing following its failed launch in late May. While the extent of the damage remains unclear, analysts say the vessel appears stable enough for inspection and transport.Jo Chun-ryong, a senior ruling party official, said North Korea would ensure “the perfect restoration of the destroyer will be completed without fail” before the scheduled Workers' Party congress in late June — a deadline set by Kim.The 4,500-metric tonne destroyer was reportedly damaged during a launching ceremony, which Kim denounced as “a criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism.” At least four officials, including the deputy director of the Workers' Party’s munitions industry, have been arrested. State media vowed those responsible would be “held accountable for their unpardonable criminal act.”Regime's most sophisticatedSouth Korean military spokesperson Lee Sung-joon said the North likely righted the warship earlier this week and was currently draining water and assessing internal damage. “The nature and duration of the repair process will vary, depending on internal repairs, additional work or whether the incident affected the keel” he added, noting this might impact future deployment.The destroyer is North Korea’s second of its class and part of Kim’s broader push to modernise naval capabilities.The vessel is reportedly similar to one launched in April from Nampo, described by experts as the regime’s most sophisticated warship to date, capable of deploying anti-air, anti-ship and nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.Though Pyongyang’s naval forces lag behind regional rivals, analysts argue a modern destroyer would still enhance both offensive reach and defence. South Korean officials suspect Russian technical support played a role in the vessel’s construction — a product of deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.Kim hosted Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang this week in another display of strengthening bilateral ties. Western officials have voiced concern that North Korea’s supply of missiles, artillery and even troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine may be rewarded with advanced military technologies in return.Kim maintains that his military build-up is necessary to counter what he sees as hostile actions by the US and South Korea, who have stepped up joint exercises in response to North Korea’s weapons development. The North Korean leader has stated that acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine is his next goal for bolstering naval strength.