North Korea requests Russia's urgent intervention

North Korea has moved the warship damaged during its launch last month to a dry dock very close to the Russian border, CNN reports, citing satellite images.

Maintenance facilities in Rajin, North Hamgyong province, are more modest than the shipyard where the destroyer was damaged, leading experts to believe that Russia might be involved in the repair work.

The new 5,000-tonne North Korean destroyer capsized during its launch on 21 May. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who was present at the launch ceremony, described the accident as "unacceptable". He ordered that the ship's repairs be completed before the plenary session of the Workers' Party at the end of June, stating it was a "matter of national honour".

North Korean state media indicated that repairs would take seven to ten days thanks to the Russians. In the wake of the failed launch, the authorities arrested three shipyard employees and one defence industry official.

(MH with MaSi - Source: CNN - Photo: © Unsplash)