Latest news with #navalforces
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
North Korea says it refloated capsized destroyer after Kim Jong Un's anger
North Korea says it has righted a capsized destroyer and moored it in a northeastern port, continuing repairs on the warship deemed a key asset by Kim Jong Un. The restoration, expected to be completed before a major party congress in late June, follows a botched launching ceremony in May that triggered Kim Jong Un 's anger and led to the detention of several officials. South Korea's military assesses that North Korea righted the ship earlier in the week and is conducting drainage operations while examining the damage. The damaged warship is North Korea 's second destroyer and is seen as crucial for modernising its naval forces, potentially boosting its offensive and defensive capabilities with advanced missile and radar systems. Experts suggest the destroyer was likely built with Russian assistance, reflecting deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia amid the war in Ukraine, raising concerns about technology transfers that could enhance North Korea 's military capabilities.
Al Arabiya
5 days ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
North Korea pulls capsized warship upright after botched launch: Reports
North Korea appears to have returned its stricken Choe Hyun-class destroyer to an upright position after it partially capsized during a botched launching ceremony, US researchers said on Wednesday. Leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the failed launch of the 5,000-ton warship, said the accident damaged the country's dignity and vowed to punish those found responsible. Commercial satellite imagery from June 2 showed the destroyer upright for the first time since the May 21 accident, the 38 North program, which studies the nuclear-armed North, said in a report. Since the accident, North Korea has said it detained several officials, and Kim ordered the ship restored before a ruling party meeting this month. 'Commercial satellite imagery shows workers at the port in Chongjin have taken a significant step toward that goal,' 38 North said in its report. Workers were observed pulling tethers, and possibly using barrage balloons, in a manual effort to right the ship, it added. The imagery shows the vessel's bow still on land, with possible damage to its sonar section. 'To repair this, the ship will need to be moved out of the water to either a large floating drydock or graving dock once afloat,' 38 North said. 'However, Chongjin's shipyard does not offer this infrastructure.' The east coast shipyard has turned out primarily cargo and fishing vessels and lacks significant expertise in launching large warships such as the new destroyer, other military experts have said.
