June 6, 2025 | Pyongyang Bureau | International Desk
Pyongyang, North Korea — North Korea has successfully launched a newly built warship days after an embarrassing failed attempt, according to satellite imagery and intelligence reports released by South Korean and Japanese officials. The vessel, a 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer, is a key part of the regime’s push to modernize its navy.
On May 21, 2025, state media had been expected to showcase the grand unveiling of North Korea’s advanced destroyer, named after revolutionary general Choe Hyon. However, the event quickly turned into a technical debacle. According to sources in South Korea and reports later confirmed by North Korean defectors, the launch at the Sinpo Naval Shipyard was botched when the ship’s bow got stuck on the slipway, while the stern slid into the water—causing the massive warship to roll onto its side in front of high-ranking officials, including leader Kim Jong Un.
The failure was reportedly met with immediate outrage from Kim, who denounced the mishap as a “criminal act of negligence” and called for urgent disciplinary action against those responsible.
Following the humiliating incident, North Korean engineers launched a recovery operation at the shipyard in Chongjin. Using a combination of cranes, industrial air balloons, and salvage ropes, the naval team managed to lift and re-stabilize the vessel over the course of several days.
Satellite images released by private firm Planet Labs on June 2 confirmed that the warship had been righted and was once again upright on the slipway.
According to South Korean intelligence sources, at least four senior officials involved in the ship’s construction and launch logistics were arrested and are believed to be facing severe punishment, possibly including forced labor or execution.
On June 5, after nearly two weeks of frantic salvage work and system checks, the destroyer was launched successfully. Witnesses in the port city of Chongjin reported a scaled-down event, with far less fanfare than originally planned. The vessel was floated into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and is currently being towed to the No. 28 Shipyard in Najin for final outfitting and testing.
The Choe Hyon-class destroyer represents a notable shift in North Korea’s naval doctrine. Analysts suggest that the ship is outfitted with phased-array radar systems, vertical launch cells for anti-air and surface-to-surface missiles, and possibly sonar capabilities for anti-submarine warfare. It is speculated to be the most technologically advanced surface combatant in the North Korean fleet.
Some defense analysts believe the ship may have benefited from clandestine assistance from Russian naval engineers, in light of growing military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow amid their shared opposition to Western sanctions.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has not publicly commented on the development, though military analysts in South Korea and Japan are closely monitoring the ship's movements. Tokyo’s defense ministry issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over North Korea’s evolving naval capabilities, particularly in light of recent missile tests and submarine developments.
The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene a closed-door meeting later this week to discuss the implications of North Korea’s ship launch and its broader weapons development program.
This development marks a significant milestone in North Korea’s continued effort to diversify and modernize its military forces, particularly its relatively outdated naval fleet. The country has focused predominantly on missile technology and nuclear deterrence in recent years, but this launch signals a renewed focus on blue-water capabilities.
While North Korea remains under heavy international sanctions and economic strain, the successful launch of the Choe Hyon-class warship sends a clear message: the Kim regime is determined to maintain and enhance its military strength—at any cost.
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