North Korea has announced the successful relaunch of its new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, less than a month after it capsized during the first attempted launch. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, had reacted furiously to the warship’s failed launch in May and demanded it be quickly repaired. According to state media, the ship has now been fully restored, but experts are questioning whether the repairs are truly complete given the swift relaunch.
Kim Jong Un and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, oversaw Tuesday’s launch at Rajin Port in North Korea’s north. The event was covered by state media, KCNA, which published photos of the leader and his daughter at the launch site. This warship is one of two brand-new 5,000-ton naval destroyers North Korea has built over the past year and launched since April. These destroyers are now the largest ships in Pyongyang’s fleet and are theoretically capable of launching nuclear weapons.
Kim has prioritized developing a nuclear-armed navy, and plans to build two more of these destroyers in the coming year. According to KCNA, Kim emphasized that the initial failed launch had not set back North Korea’s military modernization program. “Soon, enemies will experience how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters,” he said.
Experts are divided on the significance of North Korea’s naval ambitions. While some view it as a demonstration of the country’s growing military capabilities, others see it as a bid for regional influence. The rapid refloating of the capsized ship, which was achieved in just 15 days, has raised questions about the extent of the damage and the thoroughness of the repairs. Satellite photos showed the ship being refloated and moored at the pier before its relaunch.
North Korea’s naval build-up is part of its broader military modernization efforts. The country has been working to develop its naval capabilities, including the construction of new warships and submarines. The recent launch of the destroyer is seen as a significant step in this process. However, the international community remains skeptical about North Korea’s naval ambitions and the potential implications for regional security.
