Kim Jong Un inspected a refurbished warship weeks after it capsized, but analysts warn the vessel may be more propaganda than power.
At a Glance
- Kim Jong Un condemned a failed destroyer launch as “criminal” and detained several military officials.
- The 5,000-ton destroyer was moved to Rajin port for repairs following partial capsizing on May 21.
- The vessel was refloated and ceremonially relaunched on June 12 with Kim in attendance.
- Analysts believe the ship suffered severe internal damage and may not be combat-capable.
- North Korea plans to deliver two destroyers in 2026, despite doubts about their viability.
From Disaster to Detention
On May 21, North Korea attempted to launch the Kang Kon, a 5,000-ton Choe Hyon–class destroyer, only for it to partially capsize during the ceremony. The stern sank into the water as the ship rolled sideways from the slipway at Chongjin shipyard. Kim Jong Un labeled the mishap a “criminal act” and ordered the detention of several engineers and navy leaders.
Subsequent satellite imagery showed the vessel towed to Rajin for emergency repairs. Observers documented hull reinforcements and inflatable supports used to stabilize the destroyer during partial salvage efforts.
A Relaunch Shrouded in Skepticism
Despite the humiliating setback, Kim presided over the ship’s relaunch ceremony on June 12, with his daughter Kim Ju Ae also in attendance. The regime declared the warship “completely restored” and hailed the event as a symbol of military resilience.
However, experts believe the ship sustained critical damage. Analysts from CSIS noted that extended seawater exposure likely compromised radar arrays, VLS systems, and propulsion gear. Some suspect Russian assistance may have accelerated cosmetic repairs, but independent verification of the ship’s combat readiness remains absent.
Watch a report: North Korean destroyer relaunch footage.
Propaganda or Power Projection?
In remarks following the relaunch, Kim promised that both Kang Kon and its twin destroyer would be delivered by 2026, with two additional units planned. The first Choe Hyon–class ship—revealed on April 25—boasts 74 missile cells, phased-array radar, and a mix of cruise and ballistic armaments, though its capabilities remain untested in open seas.
While North Korea’s navy is far behind that of South Korea or Japan in blue-water operations, the repeated push to commission large destroyers suggests Pyongyang’s intent to signal technological parity. Yet many analysts see this effort as more about optics than operational strength.
Kim’s determination to turn a maritime embarrassment into a propaganda victory may reinforce his domestic image—but outside observers remain unconvinced the navy is any more seaworthy than before.
