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Egypt Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
North Korea deploys mystery balloon-like objects to stricken warship, satellite photos show
Seoul, South Korea CNN — New satellite images show that North Korea has deployed what appear to be balloons alongside its damaged 5,000-ton warship that has been laying on its side and partially submerged since a botched launch last week. While the purpose of the objects is unclear, experts told CNN they could be used to help get the ship back upright, or protect it from the prying eyes of drones. The stricken destroyer was the country's newest warship and was meant to be a triumph of North Korea's ambitious naval modernization effort. Instead, a malfunction in the launch mechanism on May 21 caused the stern to slide prematurely into the water, crushing parts of the hull and leaving the bow stranded on the shipway, state media KCNA reported, in a rare admission of bad news. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the failed launch in the northeastern city of Chongjin, called it a 'criminal act' and ordered the country to swiftly repair the as-yet-unnamed ship before the late-June plenary session of the ruling Workers' Party, calling it a matter of national honor. Officials have since scrambled to undo the damage and punish those they claim are responsible, detaining four people in recent days, including the shipyard's chief engineer. Analysts say it appears balloons are being used in North Korea's effort to swiftly repair the destroyer. 'It looks like what appear to be balloons have been installed not to refloat the ship, but to prevent the ship from further flooding,' said Rep. Yu Yong-weon, a South Korean National Assembly lawmaker and military analyst. Retired United States Navy Cpt. Carl Schuster said if the objects are indeed balloons, they could have one of two purposes – either to prevent 'low- to mid-level drone reconnaissance,' or to reduce the stress on the part of the ship still stranded on the pier. 'That is the area that is most likely to have been damaged, suffered the most severe damage and remains under intense stress while the forward area remains out of the water,' he said. Nick Childs, senior fellow for naval forces and maritime security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said North Korea could be in danger of further damaging the ship if it's using balloons to keep it afloat or raise it. 'It is highly likely that the ship is under quite a lot of stress anyway,' and lifting from above could compound those stresses, he said. Normal procedure would be to get as much buoyancy as possible in the ship and then raise it from below, Childs said. According to satellite images shared by Maxar Technologies, more than a dozen white, balloon-like objects have been deployed around the destroyer since May 23. Based on the objects' shape and what appear to be tail fins, they could be smaller versions of what are known as aerostat aircraft, balloons with a slight resemblance to dirigibles, defense experts told CNN. Like blimps, dirigibles get buoyancy from a lifting gas that allows them to float in air or in water. The images don't appear to show any flotation bladders supporting the hull or the body of the ship, Schuster said – something the US might use in such a situation. He added that North Korea's maritime industry might not be advanced enough for such techniques. North Korean state media had previously reported that the damage was less severe than initially feared, and that there were no holes in the hull, though it was scratched along the side and some seawater had entered the stern. It estimated repairs could take about 10 days – though analysts are skeptical. Schuster had previously told CNN that repair work could take up to six months, depending on how far the hull damage extends, how much water entered the warship, and how much 'salt crust' might have formed on metal surfaces such as joints. The ship's precarious position also makes the salvage operation unusually complex. 'Having it half in and half out of the water is basically the worst possible situation,' said Decker Eveleth, an associate research analyst at CNA, a nonprofit specializing in defense research. He added that the operation would be simpler if the ship had fully capsized into the water, or if it had fallen over entirely on land. 'But as it's half on land and half on water – if you try to pull the sunken half out, you're risking twisting and breaking the keel,' Eveleth said, referring to the structural spine running along the ship's bottom. 'And if you do that, the whole ship is junk.' Childs said North Korea may have to cut the ship into pieces and then try to salvage what it can because righting it from its current position is an extremely complex task. 'Very often the only way you clear the dock … is to dismantle at least part of the ship to make the operation easier, right what you have left and tow it away and make a decision on whether you rebuild it or scrap it,' he said.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure
North Korea has arrested a fourth official over the failed launch of a new warship that has enraged the country's leader, Kim Jong Un. Ri Hyong-son, deputy director of the ruling Workers' Party's Munitions Industry Department, was "largely responsible for the serious accident" last week, state-run news agency KCNA said on Monday. The 5,000-ton destroyer had tipped over and damaged its hull, in what Kim had described as a "criminal act" that "severely damaged the [country's] dignity and pride". The vessel is being repaired under the guidance of an expert group, KCNA said. Mr Ri, who is part of the party's Central Military Commission, is the highest level official arrested over the incident so far. The commission commands the Korean People's Army and is responsible for developing and implementing North Korea's military policies. Over the weekend, Pyongyang also detained three officials at the northern Chongjin shipyard, where the destroyer was built and where its launch failed. The officials were the chief engineer, its construction head and an administrative manager. Kim earlier said Wednesday's incident was caused by "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism". It is not clear what punishment they might face, but the authoritarian state has been known to sentence officials it finds guilty of wrongdoing to forced labour and even death. It is uncommon for North Korea to publicly disclose local accidents, though it has done this a handful of times in the past after failed satellite launches. Some analysts believe Kim's swift and severe response was meant as a signal that Pyongyang will continue to advance its military capabilities. "This sends a clear message to South Korea and the US that North Korea isn't going to stop in trying to repair and strengthen its naval technology," Edward Howell, a North Korea expert at Oxford University told ABC news. A commentary on Seoul-based Daily NK, a news outlet focussing on North Korea, suggests that Kim's "transparency, however reluctant" shows he views naval modernisation as such a critical priority, and that "even public failures cannot derail the broader narrative of military advancement". Last week's shipyard accident comes weeks after North Korea unveiled a similar warship in another part of the country. Kim had called that warship a "breakthrough" in modernising North Korea's navy and said it would be deployed early next year.
Online Citizen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Yee Jenn Jong slams Critical Spectator's ‘ignorant' post, defends WP's NCMP choices as inclusive
On 23 May 2025, former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Yee Jenn Jong from the Workers' Party issued a pointed rebuttal to an article by Polish blogger Michael Petraeus, widely known as 'Critical Spectator'. The article, published on 19 May, accused the Workers' Party (WP) of 'abandoning Muslim voters' in its selection of NCMPs following the 2025 General Election. Petraeus alleged that WP sidelined its vice-chairman and three-time Member of Parliament, Faisal Manap, who had contested in Tampines GRC. He framed this decision as evidence of identity politics within the party. He further claimed that WP was refocusing its efforts on Mandarin-speaking constituencies, citing the appointment of Eileen Chong—who joined the party in December 2024—as a shift in strategy. Petraeus claimed that this was influenced by Terry Xu of The Online Citizen (TOC), who had previously advocated for greater outreach to older Chinese-speaking voters and new citizens from China. In his op-ed, Xu argued that the WP would benefit more from appointing Chong as an NCMP, given the current lack of a strong Mandarin speaker among the party's parliamentary representatives and the opportunity to further its efforts toward gender diversity. Adding to the controversy, Petraeus's post attracted a 'like' from Ho Ching, spouse of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, further amplifying its reach and raising eyebrows. On the same day, WP confirmed the appointment of Andre Low and Eileen Chong as NCMPs. The party reaffirmed its commitment to represent all Singaporeans, hold the Government accountable, and engage in reasoned parliamentary debate. 'Many senior WP members have historically declined NCMP appointments' Yee, who led the WP team in East Coast GRC during GE2025, responded to Petraeus's commentary via Facebook, calling the article 'trash'. He said he 'could not believe what [he] was reading', and described Petraeus's writing as ignorant and lacking proper analysis. Yee expressed frustration with so-called political observers who presume insight into the opposition landscape without insider knowledge. He clarified that it was likely Faisal Manap had declined the NCMP post, as other senior WP members had done in the past. Yee cited historical precedent, noting that Gerald Giam, Lee Li Lian, and Low Thia Khiang had either declined NCMP roles or expressed views on how they would have passed them on. Yee noted that when Lee rejected the NCMP appointment, it was offered to Daniel Goh, following a rather 'unpleasant parliamentary debate in which the PAP attempted to gain political mileage from the situation'. He added that even Tan Cheng Bock, after GE2020, declined the post, and it was passed to another team member. Yee argued there was no need for a senior WP figure to take the NCMP role when strong candidates are available, especially in a Group Representation Constituency (GRC). 'Nothing about race or religion' – Yee affirms inclusivity Yee firmly rejected Petraeus's racial insinuations, saying: 'Nothing about race or religion as alleged in this ignorant post, not even by a Singaporean.' He expressed confidence in Chong's ability to represent all Singaporeans, and emphasised Faisal's legacy as a well-loved MP serving residents of all races in Kaki Bukit. Yee pointed out widespread misconceptions about how NCMP appointments are handled. He explained that if a team declines an NCMP post, the seat does not automatically go to the next highest-losing team. Instead, a parliamentary motion must be raised and passed to appoint another candidate. He cautioned that public calls for Tampines GRC to reject the position would not necessarily result in a reassignment, and could instead lead to the seat being left vacant—as occurred in 1984. Yee criticised external attempts to dictate WP's internal decisions, asserting the party's autonomy. He also reiterated his broader stance against the NCMP scheme, which he and political researcher Loke Hoe Yeong argue should be abolished in favour of deeper democratic reforms. Petraeus responds with more criticism Following Yee's statement, Petraeus escalated the exchange by accusing him of breaking his word about retiring from politics after 2020. He interpreted Yee's return as evidence of a 'very limited pool' within WP. Petraeus further claimed WP publicly criticises the NCMP scheme while privately benefiting from it, referencing the party's historical use of NCMP seats since 1984. He also accused WP leader Pritam Singh of 'hypocrisy', citing Singh's allegations of gerrymandering while supposedly benefiting from constituency changes. Lawyer Yeoh Lian Chuan questions if PM Wong will repudiate foreign blogger's racial remarks On 22 May, a day before Yee's statement, Singaporean lawyer Yeoh Lian Chuan called on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to address Petraeus's comments. Yeoh asked whether Wong and the People's Action Party (PAP) would repudiate the statements, which many criticised as racially and religiously insensitive. His call added to the growing pressure on the Government to confront divisive political rhetoric circulating online. Edit: A clarification has been made regarding Yee's quote about the transfer of the NCMP seat to Daniel Goh, after Lee Li Lian declined her NCMP seat following the conclusion of GE2015.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Criminal act': Kim Jong-un demands answers after warship launch fiasco
'No matter how good the state of the warship is, the fact that the accident is an unpardonable criminal act remains unchanged, and those responsible for it can never evade their responsibility for the crime,' the commission said, according to KCNA. The mishap likely occurred in front of a large crowd, increasing the public humiliation for Kim, military analysts said. Blaming military officials, scientists and shipyard operators, Kim ordered the warship to be repaired before a high-level ruling Workers' Party meeting in late June, KCNA reported. Treating the accident as a serious matter was part of an effort to fight against 'incautiousness' and 'irresponsibility,' KCNA said. Citing satellite imagery, the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said it appeared the ship had failed to move in one piece. 'The stern is seen swung out into the harbour as a result of the wheeled units placed under the frame sliding into the water while the bow remained on the side slipway,' the CSIS said. The shipyard in Chongjin has primarily produced cargo vessels and fishing vessels and 'undoubtedly lacks significant expertise' in launching large warships, CSIS added. It would take two to three days to restore the balance of the warship by pumping seawater from the flooded chamber and about 10 days to repair the vessel's side, the KCNA report said, citing experts' estimates. The extremely secretive nature of North Korea makes it almost impossible to verify the damage. The reclusive state has a history of manipulating or covering up military-related setbacks, policy fiascoes and other mishaps, though it has periodically acknowledged some of these events in recent years. Observers believe North Korea's admission of the failed launch is probably meant to demonstrate Kim's resolve to advance his naval capabilities and boost discipline. The damaged ship is thought to be of the same class as North Korea's first destroyer, Choe Hyon, unveiled last month with great fanfare, and said to be capable of carrying various weapons, including nuclear missiles. Analysts say it is the North's biggest and most advanced warship to date and was likely built with Russian assistance.
The Age
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
‘Criminal act': Kim Jong-un demands answers after warship launch fiasco
'No matter how good the state of the warship is, the fact that the accident is an unpardonable criminal act remains unchanged, and those responsible for it can never evade their responsibility for the crime,' the commission said, according to KCNA. The mishap likely occurred in front of a large crowd, increasing the public humiliation for Kim, military analysts said. Blaming military officials, scientists and shipyard operators, Kim ordered the warship to be repaired before a high-level ruling Workers' Party meeting in late June, KCNA reported. Treating the accident as a serious matter was part of an effort to fight against 'incautiousness' and 'irresponsibility,' KCNA said. Citing satellite imagery, the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said it appeared the ship had failed to move in one piece. 'The stern is seen swung out into the harbour as a result of the wheeled units placed under the frame sliding into the water while the bow remained on the side slipway,' the CSIS said. The shipyard in Chongjin has primarily produced cargo vessels and fishing vessels and 'undoubtedly lacks significant expertise' in launching large warships, CSIS added. It would take two to three days to restore the balance of the warship by pumping seawater from the flooded chamber and about 10 days to repair the vessel's side, the KCNA report said, citing experts' estimates. The extremely secretive nature of North Korea makes it almost impossible to verify the damage. The reclusive state has a history of manipulating or covering up military-related setbacks, policy fiascoes and other mishaps, though it has periodically acknowledged some of these events in recent years. Observers believe North Korea's admission of the failed launch is probably meant to demonstrate Kim's resolve to advance his naval capabilities and boost discipline. The damaged ship is thought to be of the same class as North Korea's first destroyer, Choe Hyon, unveiled last month with great fanfare, and said to be capable of carrying various weapons, including nuclear missiles. Analysts say it is the North's biggest and most advanced warship to date and was likely built with Russian assistance.
