North Korea Relaunches 5,000-Ton Naval Destroyer After Failed Launch
A report from the BBC has confirmed that North Korea has successfully relaunched its new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, less than a month after it capsized during the first attempted launch. According to state media, the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, had reacted furiously to the warship’s failed launch in May, and demanded it be quickly repaired.
The incident resulted in the arrest of at least four officials, including three shipyard officials and one senior official. State media reports that the ship has now been fully restored, but experts are questioning whether the repairs are truly complete given the rapid turnaround.
The warship, named Kang Kon after a North Korean general who died fighting in the Korean War, was relaunched at Rajin Port in the country’s north, with Kim and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, in attendance. This destroyer is one of two brand new 5,000-ton naval destroyers North Korea has built over the past year and launched since April. They are now the largest ships in Pyongyang’s fleet and are theoretically capable of launching nuclear weapons.
As reported by the BBC, Kim has prioritized the development of a nuclear-armed navy and plans to build two more of these destroyers in the coming year. The relaunched destroyer was seen in satellite photos being refloated in the water and moored at a pier.
The BBC quotes Kim as saying, at an event on Friday, that the initial failed launch had not set back the North’s military modernisation programme. He warned that enemies would soon experience "how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters."
According to a report from the BBC, satellite images showed the progress of repairs on the Kang Kon destroyer. The images revealed the capsized ship in the harbour, before it was moved to a repair site, and then being refloated in the water.
The rapid relaunch of the destroyer has raised concerns among experts about the completeness of the repairs. A swift return to service may indicate that the repairs were not fully carried out, potentially compromising the ship’s seaworthiness and effectiveness.
The development of North Korea’s naval capabilities, including its nuclear-armed navy, continues to be a concern for regional and global security. The country’s military modernisation programme, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, remains a pressing issue for international attention.
This recent development comes as North Korea continues to prioritize its military capabilities, amid ongoing international efforts to negotiate a denuclearization agreement. According to the BBC, the country has made significant progress in its naval capabilities, with the launch of two 5,000-ton destroyers in the past year.
In related news, analysts have noted that North Korea’s focus on naval capabilities may be an attempt to counter the military presence of the United States and its allies in the region. As reported by the BBC, the country has been actively pursuing the development of its naval capabilities, including the launch of new warships and submarines.
The international community remains watchful of North Korea’s military developments, as the country continues to prioritize its military modernisation programme. The relaunch of the Kang Kon destroyer serves as a reminder of North Korea’s ongoing efforts to enhance its naval capabilities, and raises concerns about the potential implications for regional security.
The BBC has been reporting extensively on North Korea’s military developments, including its naval capabilities and nuclear programme. For more information on North Korea’s military modernisation programme, readers can visit the BBC website for in-depth coverage and analysis.
