North Korea. Damaged ship raised and towed to the border with Russia

The Koreans from the north raised the destroyer overturned during launching and towed it to the border with Russia – the media informs based on new satellite photos. The earlier accident of the largest North Korean ship was watched closely by the dictator Kim Jong Un.

When launching the largest North Korean ship with a displacement of 5,000 The tone at the port of Chongjin on May 21 took place a “serious accident”. The destroyer of the Choe Hyon class was overwhelmed while bringing him into the water And he hit the waterfront, which led to damage to the stern.

Unsuccessful launching and turning the ship personally watched up close Kim Jong Un. The dictator did not hide his rage, calling this event “a criminal act caused by negligence that cannot be tolerated” and announcing the punishment of the guilty. So far, at least four officials responsible for the accident during launching have been detained.

The ship was raised by hand

The dictator also ordered instant repair of the unit, which immediately began to be done. On Friday, the North Korean agency KCNA said that the ship “safely entered the water” and was moored at the pier. The success of re -launching the ship was confirmed by satellite photos published by independent media, on which the ship standing in the water was visible properly. The 38 North portal dealing with North Korea reported that the raising of the ship lying on the side in the water was a “manual process”. In satellite photos you can see, among others Workers pulling hand -attached to the fuselage of ropes and using special balloons to restore the balance of the individual.

Kcna also informed in May that after thorough examination, there were no holes in the bottom of the ship, and the damage “was not serious”. Earlier it was supposed that unsuccessful launching could cause cracks in the hull. Kcna also reported that the ship's repair should be completed before the June session of the Korea Working Party Central Committee, which was also an ultimatum set by Kim Jong Una.

Destroyer at the border with Russia

On Monday, the media announced that the damaged ship was also towed to the port of Rason just off the border with Russia. The unit moored there can be seen in satellite photos taken on Sunday by Maxar Technologies.

In an interview with the CNN station, an expert from the South Korean Institute of Defense Analysis Yu Jihoon noticed that this port has infrastructure for minor repairs. He emphasized, however, that the proximity of Russia “makes it a key node to deepen economic and potentially military ties with Moscow.”

In turn, the retired South Korean Admiral Kim Duk found it likely that the sonar and depths of the ship were damaged, located in the bow part. This, in his opinion, suggests that Koreans will need foreign help to repair. – It is believed that North Korea lacks technology for sonar systems, so they probably imported them with China or Russia – he pointed out.