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Satellite images: Damage to North Korean warship in dry dock
Satellite images show North Korea has moved a damaged warship into a dry dock near the Russian border. Experts speculate about Moscow's role in the repairs.
Satellite images: Damage to North Korean warship in dry dock
Seoul, South Korea — North Korea has moved a new warship that was damaged in a botched launch to a port near the Russian border. Analysts see this as a sign of a possible role for Russia in repairing the ship.
Details of the damaged warship
Satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies on Sunday show the 5,000-ton destroyer, as yet unnamed, at a dock in the port of Rajin. This port is part of North Korea's Rason Special Economic Zone, which directly borders the short border with Russia.
Repair options in Rajin
Although Rajin is not a large shipyard like the one in northeastern Chongjin where the accident occurred, the port has facilities for basic repairs and maintenance. Yu Jihoon, director of external cooperation and research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyzes, emphasizes that Rajin's proximity to Russia makes it an important hub for North Korea's efforts to deepen economic and possibly military ties with Moscow.
North Korea-Russia cooperation
According to a 2024 report from the Modern War Institute at West Point Military Academy, the Rason Special Economic Zone is described as “a significant point of cooperation between North Korea and Russia” and has recently been linked to North Korea supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Failed ship commissioning
The destroyer was damaged on May 21 when, during its launch, the stern went into the water but the bow remained firmly on the ground, causing the ship to tip to one side.
Repair orders from Kim Jong Un
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who attended the ship's commissioning ceremony, called for the destroyer to be repaired by the ruling Workers' Party plenary session at the end of June. He described this as a matter of national honor.
Time frame for repairs
State media reported last week that repairs at Rajin Dock would take 7 to 10 days, in line with Kim's time frame. Retired South Korean Admiral Kim Duk-ki told CNN that the duration of the repairs depends on the extent of the damage to the ship. He noted that it was possible that the sonar devices and depth gauges in the bow area were damaged during the failed launch.