On May 21, North Korea attempted to launch the second destroyer in its new Choe Hyon Class at Chongjin Port. As
reported in North Korean State media, the side-launch resulted in a “serious accident,” due to “inexperienced command and operational carelessness”. Specifically, the stern hit the water first, leaving the ship’s bow hung up on the launch way. Further exacerbating the incident were openings in the unfinished deck of the vessel which allowed water to pour into its interior compartments as the ship laid on its side in the water. Kim Jong Un set a June deadline for the restoration of the vessel, and commercial satellite imagery indicates that swift efforts to remove the ship from the water are underway.
카카오톡
페이스북
블로그