North Korea seeks Russia’s assistance to repair damaged warship after botched launch

North Korea has relocated a damaged warship to a dry dock near the Russian border following a botched launch ceremony, CNN reported, citing satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies taken on June 8.

The vessel is now at the Rajin shipyard, a relatively modest facility, raising speculation that Russia may step in to assist its ally in completing repairs.

The warship was launched on May 21, during what was intended to be a showcase of Pyongyang’s military modernization. However, the ceremony turned into an embarrassment when the destroyer capsized during its launch, in full view of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who reportedly erupted in anger at those responsible.

Kim has since ordered that the ship be fully restored ahead of a Workers' Party congress later this month.

North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency said: “After restoring the balance of the destroyer early in June, the [field restoration promotion team] moored it at the pier by safely conducting its end launching on Thursday afternoon… The next-stage elaborate restoration is to be carried out at the dry dock of the Rajin Dockyard for the period of 7–10 days.”

(QG - Source: Meduza - Picture : © Unsplash)