Kim Jong-un finally ‘launches a ship WITHOUT sinking it': Despot tours ‘repaired destroyer' a month on from humiliation
TYRANT Kim Jong-un has reportedly relaunched his 5,000-tonne colossal warship - after it spectacularly capsized during its first launch last month.
The North Korean dictator witnessed his new destroyer's successful maiden voyage - after a
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9
Kim Jong-un, pictured with his daughter Kim Ju Ae (L), relaunched his huge warship which capsized last month
Credit: EPA
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The successful launch was witnessed by Kim at Rajin Port
Credit: Reuters
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The huge 5,000 ton warship half-sunk into the water in May
Credit: EPA
Satellite pictures previously revealed the huge warship, named Kang Kon,
Furious Kim deemed to find and punish those found responsible for the embarrassing
fail
.
He slammed the "criminal act" caused by "absolute carelessness" in a rare admission of failure - and
But state media have now claimed that the intimidating warship has finally been restored.
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READ MORE WORLD NEWS
Experts have questioned whether the boat's repairs are actually sufficient, given the reported speedy turnaround.
Kim and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, are understood to have witnessed the triumphant launch at Rajin Port in the north of the country, according to KCNA.
Images showed the smiling despot wearing a thin
summer
hat as he walked cheerfully in front of clapping navy officers.
It comes after the half-sunk was seen being
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Most read in The US Sun
North Korea's state broadcaster also reported that sections of the
hull
had been crushed.
The highly-secretive authorities appeared to have tried to hide the disaster by placing blue tarpaulin across the wreck.
North Korea's half-sunk warship hauled UPRIGHT with giant balloons as cause of disaster that humiliated Kim is revealed
Pictures from May 29 showed workers standing on the quay pulling ropes attached to the boat.
And at least 30 balloons appeared to have been connected along one side - presumably to haul it upright.
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On launch day, crews had attempted to slide the ship sideways into the water.
A malfunction meant that the stern entered while the bow remained on the launch gear.
It is likely that the launch mechanism snagged the bow, preventing it from plopping into the sea, reports
This theory is supported by satellite imagery from May 29, which seems to show damage to the bow.
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Seething Kim demanded that the repairs be completed by the end of June - and it now appears that engineers have managed to do this in time.
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Around 30 large balloons can be seen attached to the boat along with ropes
Credit: Pleiades NEO/ Airbus DS
9
Kim Jong Un (C) and daughter Ju Ae (center L) boarding the destroyer
Credit: AFP
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The dictator was fuming in the wake of the embarrassment, and said it brought shame on the country.
Four people have been arrested so far, including chief engineer Kang Jong Chol, hull workshop head Han Kyong Hak, and deputy manager Kim Yong Hak.
It's unclear what punishment they will face, though an expert told The Sun their fates could be fatal.
Michael Madden, founder of North Korea Leadership Watch, said: "Some people will lose their party memberships and be sent to jail for short sentences."
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But, more alarmingly, he claimed "some people are going to be shot to death behind this".
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A view of the warship before its failed launch
Credit: AFP
9
The boat after being restored to an upright position
Credit: Pleiades NEO/ Airbus DS
9
Kim boarding the destroyer 'Kang Kon' at the Rajin shipyard
Credit: AFP
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The launch failure marked a huge setback for Kim, who has been modernizing his navy to keep up with the West.
The huge Kang Kon naval destroyer is believed to be the same class as the
North Korea's state media - which also serves as Kim's leading propaganda machine - reported that the vessel was equipped with the "most powerful weapons".
Now it is seemingly upright and operational, the destroyer will surpass the current largest vessel in North Korea, a 1,360-tonne frigate.
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