North Korean destroyer, previously capsized, successfully launched

Quelle: VIDEOELEPHANT (Glomex)

North Korea's Central News Agency reported on May 13 that a new 5,000-ton destroyer, which capsized in May and could not be launched, was repaired and relaunched on June 12. The launching ceremony took place at the Rajin shipyard in the northeast of the country. Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, attended the ceremony and emphasized the restoration and success of the ship after the accident. The destroyer was supposed to be launched in Chongjin in May, and reportedly, the party officials and those on site were arrested after the accident. In his speech, Kim sharply summarized the failure in May: "Irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism have destroyed the dignity of the nation," adding, "The path to strengthening the navy has never been stopped." He also said, "The enemy will have to experience for themselves how unpleasant it is to see enemy ships simply pass by in our sovereign waters." Kim harshly criticized the military actions of the United States and its allies, emphasizing that North Korea will use its naval power for retaliation. He further stated that from next year, two destroyers of the same type or larger would be built every year to enhance long-range operational capability in the Pacific. His daughter Kim Ju-ae also attended the launching ceremony and inspected the ship together with Kim. The South Korean Ministry of Unification noted that while the ship showed no visible defects, it must be closely monitored to ensure it functions properly.