North Korea says damaged destroyer repaired, relaunched successfully
North Korea said Friday it has successfully repaired and launched a 5,000-ton destroyer that was damaged in a failed launch attempt last month, with leader Kim Jong Un attending a ceremony to mark the achievement at a shipyard in the country's northeast.
During Thursday's ceremony at the Rajin shipyard, Kim revealed Pyongyang's plan to build two more destroyers of the same type annually, the official Korean Central News Agency said.
In the incident at the Chongjin Shipyard on May 21, the 5,000-ton destroyer tipped over while on a flatcar, crushing some lower sections and preventing it from exiting the shipway, according to KCNA.
The vessel remained partially capsized following the failed launch attempt, with Kim ordering it to be repaired before a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea to be convened in late June.
Kim said Thursday a worker had died during the repair work. He met with his family to console them, the news agency said.
The newly launched warship is scheduled to be handed over to the navy around mid-2026.
In April, Kim attended a ceremony for the launch of another new 5,000-ton destroyer at a shipyard in the western port city of Nampho.
The multipurpose warship Choe Hyon, named after an anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter, is equipped with supersonic cruise missile systems and tactical ballistic missile systems. Kim said it will be deployed by the navy sometime next year, according to KCNA.
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Kyodo News
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North Korea says damaged destroyer repaired, relaunched successfully
KYODO NEWS - 5 minutes ago - 12:46 | World, All North Korea said Friday it has successfully repaired and launched a 5,000-ton destroyer that was damaged in a failed launch attempt last month, with leader Kim Jong Un attending a ceremony to mark the achievement at a shipyard in the country's northeast. During Thursday's ceremony at the Rajin shipyard, Kim revealed Pyongyang's plan to build two more destroyers of the same type annually, the official Korean Central News Agency said. In the incident at the Chongjin Shipyard on May 21, the 5,000-ton destroyer tipped over while on a flatcar, crushing some lower sections and preventing it from exiting the shipway, according to KCNA. The vessel remained partially capsized following the failed launch attempt, with Kim ordering it to be repaired before a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea to be convened in late June. Kim said Thursday a worker had died during the repair work. He met with his family to console them, the news agency said. The newly launched warship is scheduled to be handed over to the navy around mid-2026. In April, Kim attended a ceremony for the launch of another new 5,000-ton destroyer at a shipyard in the western port city of Nampho. The multipurpose warship Choe Hyon, named after an anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter, is equipped with supersonic cruise missile systems and tactical ballistic missile systems. Kim said it will be deployed by the navy sometime next year, according to KCNA. Related coverage: North Korea refused to accept Trump's letter to Kim: report North Korea's Kim slams officials over destroyer launch accident North Korea no longer bans military use of space for defense purposes
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