North Korea relaunches damaged warship after botched unveiling

The state media said the warship has been repaired and was released in a ceremony to leader Kim Jong-un.

The Central News Agency of Korea (KCNA) reported on Friday that Kim supervised the launch and approached the ship, says that “nothing can block” North Korea’s efforts to strengthen naval power in the midst of “hostilities led by the United States.”

The announcement is aligned with the satellite images and evaluations of external observers, although experts continue to doubt the ship’s condition.

Many question if the key systems, such as their engine and electronics, can work normally after being submerged for almost two weeks.

According to the reports, May 21 accidents angered Kim, who blamed “criminal negligence” and ordered the officials to complete the repairs before a meeting of the Workers Party of the ruling at the end of this month.

The state media then confirmed that four officials were arrested for the failed launch.

On Thursday, Kcna quoted Kim saying that the two destroyers would contribute significantly to improve naval operations.

He said that the North would respond to external threats with an “excessive military action” and sacrifice the “deposit condolences” to the family of a shipyard worker who gave the repairs.

The satellite images previously showed the partial destroyer submerged in the port of Chongjin. Last week, North Korea’s media said the ship had been straightened and moved to Rajin, near the Russian border, for more work.

Analysts say that the restoration timeline raises Doubs. “Taking into account the time they needed to raise the ship, they would have less than two weeks to carry out the real repair work,” said Yang UK, an analyst at the Asan Institute for Seoul Policies Studies.

“Would you have enough bone to complete everything and bring the container to a state in which it is operational? I think it is very unlikely,” he added.

South Korean expert Lee Illwoo said that critical systems such as the machine room and missile throwers may have been damaged by salt water. He suggested that Rajin’s movement indicates a probable Russian assistance with repairs.

Kcna said the ship is in the same class as the first destroyer of North Korea, released in April. Both are believed to be 4,500 metric tons ships and the most advanced warships of the North to date are considered. Kim has announced plans to build two additional destroyers next year.

The report occurs when the new Liberal Government of South Korea under President Lee Jae-Myung suspended first-line propaganda transmissions, a step seen as aimed at relieving tensions with the north.

Pyongyang has not responded formally.