North Korea’s new destroyer, which capsized during its launch ceremony, remains tilted on the water’s surface. The regime appears to be struggling to meet the recovery timeline initially projected in the accident investigation. Some experts suggest that North Korean officials may have provided false reports to Kim Jong Un regarding the incident and recovery efforts.
Satellite imagery from the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Browser, taken on May 31, shows the damaged destroyer still lying in the water near the Chongjin Shipyard. The ship’s condition has remained unchanged for ten days since the accident on May 21.
North Korea initially reported through the Rodong Sinmun that during the side launch, uneven movement of the bow and stern created a hole in the hull, resulting in damage to the vessel. Subsequent commercial satellite imagery confirmed the destroyer had indeed capsized.
However, two days after the incident, the Rodong Sinmun contradicted its earlier report, claiming there were no holes in the hull and that only a certain amount of seawater had flowed into the stern section. It also stated that the destroyer was in stable condition, projecting that the flooded sections would be drained within two to three days and repairs to the hull would take approximately ten days.
Based on these statements, experts expect that North Korea should have already righted the capsized ship and begun preparations for repairs. The apparent delay suggests the recovery process is significantly behind schedule.
Kim Jong Un, who attended the launch to celebrate the new destroyer, reportedly reacted with fury to the accident. He ordered the recovery to be completed before the Party’s plenary meeting at the end of June. However, it seems unlikely that the regime will meet the Supreme Leader’s deadline.
Some analysts speculate that North Korean officials may have downplayed the extent of the damage and exaggerated the recovery timeline to avoid severe punishment or to placate the Supreme Leader.
According to North Korean reports, five officials have been summoned or arrested in connection with the incident. The day after the accident, Hong Gil Ho, manager of the Chongjin Shipyard, was summoned for questioning. Subsequently, authorities arrested Kang Jeong Cheol, the chief engineer; Han Gyeong Hak, head of the hull construction workshop; and Kim Yong Hak, deputy manager for administrative affairs. On May 26, Ri Hyung Son, deputy director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Party Central Committee, was also reportedly arrested. Since then, no further reports related to the destroyer have been released.
In the North Korean system, a failure during a high-profile event intended to showcase the regime’s achievements is likely to be treated as a serious offense against the leader’s dignity. There is speculation that even higher-ranking officials may be held accountable.
Earlier this year, the regime suspended Jo Yong Won, a close aide to Kim Jong Un, for a month after revealing that provincial officials had been treated to alcohol-fueled hospitality.