Partially Submerged North Korean Frigate Appears Upright Again In Satellite Image
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
North Korea Races to Fix Capsized Warship by Kim’s Deadline
The North Korean warship that capsized last month during a botched launch has returned to an upright position. The 5,000-ton destroyer is one of Kim’s crown jewels in his dream of modernizing his decades-old
SEOUL—The North Korean warship that capsized last month during a botched launch has returned to an upright position, satellite imagery shows, as the country works to restore the vessel before leader Kim Jong Un’s patience runs out.
The 5,000-ton destroyer is one of Kim’s crown jewels in his dream of modernizing his decades-old navy.
Partially Submerged North Korean Frigate Appears Upright Again In Satellite Image
Satellite imagery from Airbus Defense and Space appears to show the warship upright for the first time since the failed launch on May 21. Workers can be seen pulling ropes from the quay, in an attempt to manually right the ship, in a separate satellite image taken on May 29. The vessel, which has an estimated displacement of 5,000 tons, is the second of its class, following the Choi Hyun, which was officially unveiled in April. It is not possible to determine the level of damage that the frigate sustained during its abortive launch. North Korean state media has previously claimed that there is no serious damage to the warships, which is at best highly questionable if not impossible. The next steps might be in the repair process are unclear, but a floating dry dock could be an option, especially if the ship is moved to a different yard. The shipyard appears to have made significant progress on the initial recovery of the ship but the target of restoring it before the end of this month remains highly dubious.
38 North, a website devoted to the analysis of North Korea, today published satellite imagery from Airbus Defense and Space, of the scene at Chongjin Shipyard on June 2, as seen in the social media post below. This appears to show the warship upright for the first time since the failed launch on May 21. Though there is light cloud cover overhead, the flight deck — specifically the markings for the helipad — looks to be visible at the stern, and the ship’s overall profile has changed.
This is quite incredible speed. The image is partially obscured by cloud, but the capsized North Korean warship is now upright again. What makes it even more impressive is they apparently did it all manually. �� : Airbus Space and Defence/38 North, June 2www.38north.org/2025/06/quic… — Martyn Williams (@martynw.bsky.social) 2025-06-03T18:28:44.771Z
The vessel, which has an estimated displacement of 5,000 tons, is the second of its class, following the Choi Hyon, which was officially unveiled in April. You can read all about the heavily armed class of frigates in our previous detailed analysis and follow-up report.
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38 North notes that workers can be seen pulling ropes from the quay, in an attempt to manually right the warship, in a separate satellite image from Airbus Defense and Space taken on May 29. At least 30 buoys and/or airbags can be seen alongside the vessel, presumably to help stabilize it. Some reports have suggested these were barrage balloons, although that doesn’t appear to make any sense in this case.
At this stage, it’s not possible to determine the level of damage that the frigate sustained during its abortive launch. 38 North suggests that the launch mechanism may have become stuck in the ship’s bow, pinning it onto the land while the stern slipped into the water, after which the boat overturned. In the May 29 imagery, there appears to be damage around the bow section.
If the ship has been successfully righted, what the next steps might be in the repair process are unclear. There is not a dry dock that the vessel could be moved into readily at Chongjin if that level of work is required. At the same time, taking it to another yard could be a challenge, especially if there is serious damage to the hull. Seeking outside help, including from Russia or China, could be an option. A floating dry dock could be especially useful in this instance.
The ship as it appeared on May 20, before the accident. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies
North Korea’s latest naval destroyer has been significantly damaged prior to its launch. In a rare acknowledgment, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported yesterday an incident occurred with a new destroyer in Chongjin, which was close to being launched. pic.twitter.com/0PfuqehYnF — Open Source Centre (@osc_london) May 22, 2025
I made a .gif showing the DPRK frigate in position to launch and then, er, “toes up” in the water. pic.twitter.com/Urflog6LEo — Dr. Jeffrey Lewis (@ArmsControlWonk) May 22, 2025
North Korean state media has previously claimed that there is no serious damage to the warship, which is at best highly questionable if not impossible.
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“Detailed underwater and internal inspection of the warship confirmed that, unlike the initial announcement, there were no holes made at the warship’s bottom, the hull starboard was scratched, and a certain amount of seawater flowed into the stern section through the rescue channel,” per a report from KCNA on May 23. “The extent of damage to the warship is not serious, and the result of the flooding process immediately after the accident is only information necessary to take practical rehabilitation measures. The above-said data have no connection with the cause of the accident and the identification of its responsibility.”
At the very least, the North Korean shipyard appears to have made significant progress on the initial recovery of the ship, more or less in line with official estimates. “Experts estimated that it will take two or three days to keep the balance of the warship by pumping up the seawater from the flooded chamber and making the bow leave the slipway, and 10-odd days to restore the warship’s side,” KCNA also said in its May 23 report.
On that same day, TWZ obtained satellite imagery showing the stricken vessel still covered with blue tarps, but now with two steel cables connecting it to a shipyard dock, as the recovery effort began to take shape.
Another view of the unnamed North Korean warship as it appeared on May 23. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies
Bearing in mind the embarrassing and highly public nature of the incident, and the fact that the launch ceremony was attended by dictator Kim Jong Un, there is very much an imperative to get the warship repaired, at least outwardly, as soon as possible.
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Kim called the incident “a criminal act” and promised that the officials found responsible would be “dealt with at the plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee” this month. This is a high-level meeting of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party. At least three shipyard officials have been detained as part of a subsequent investigation. The head of the Chongjin Shipyard, Hong Kil Ho, was initially summoned by state law enforcement officials, but does not appear to have been detained. A senior North Korean Communist Party official, Ri Hyong Son, was also summoned.
Looks like Ri Hyong Son, a senior party official, is also taking the fall. pic.twitter.com/2Ck1LYwdwq — Dr. Jeffrey Lewis (@ArmsControlWonk) May 25, 2025
Earlier this month, Kim also called for the frigate to be restored before this same meeting, something that was met with widespread skepticism outside of North Korea.
An overall view of the Choi Hyon, the sister vessel of the frigate involved in the mishap. KCNA
While returning the frigate to an upright position would be an achievement, there will very likely be a lot more less obvious but critical work ahead. How it sits now upright, with one part in the water and the other on shore, is also a precarious situation in itself.
The degree to which the incident and its aftermath have been played out in view of the public is certainly noteworthy. Unusually, Pyongyang announced details of the incident soon after it happened, including comments from Kim, in an apparent effort to control the narrative. Coupled with the availability of satellite imagery, this now means that there will be an even greater focus on the recovery efforts, especially given Kim’s fantastical timeline for its restoration.
Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
North Korea pulls capsized warship upright after botched launch, report says
North Korea appears to have returned to an upright position its stricken Choe Hyun Class destroyer that partially capsized during a botched launching ceremony. Leader Kim Jong Un said the accident damaged the country’s dignity and vowed to punish those found responsible.Commercial satellite imagery from June 2 showed the destroyer upright for the first time since the May 21 accident.
Leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the failed launch of the 5,000-tonne warship, said the accident damaged the country’s dignity and vowed to punish those found responsible.
Commercial satellite imagery from June 2 showed the destroyer upright for the first time since the May 21 accident, the 38 North programme, which studies the nuclear-armed North, said in a report.
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Since the accident, North Korea has said it detained several officials, and Kim ordered the ship restored before a ruling party meeting this month.
“Commercial satellite imagery shows workers at the port in Chongjin have taken a significant step towards that goal,” 38 North said in its report.
Workers were observed pulling tethers, and possibly using barrage balloons, in a manual effort to right the ship, it added. The imagery shows the vessel’s bow still on land, with possible damage to its sonar section.
“To repair this, the ship will need to be moved out of the water to either a large floating drydock or graving dock once afloat,” 38 North said. “However, Chongjin’s shipyard does not offer this infrastructure.”
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The east coast shipyard has turned out primarily cargo and fishing vessels and lacks significant expertise in launching large warships such as the new destroyer, other military experts have said.
(Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Satellite images show the catastrophic damage to North Korea’s new destroyer that’s lying on its side
Satellite images show a capsized new destroyer still partially resting on the pier. The ship’s internal compartments are almost certainly flooded, complicating efforts to right it. North Korean state media reported that the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, was watching the ceremony as the ship’s stern slid down a ramp ahead of schedule. State media wrote that the launch mechanism malfunctioned, causing the stern to slide into the water while the bow remained stuck on land. The destroyer is believed to be from the Choe Hyon-class of guided missile frigates and is North Korea’s largest warship to date, analysts say. It’s likely the destroyer is in the same class as the 5,000-ton vessel that it launched from a separate shipyard in April, South Korean officials told reporters on Thursday. The only upside for North Korea is that during a ship launch likely no crewmembers would be aboard the new destroyer, an analyst says. The new frigate could carry a larger arsenal of anti-ship, land-attack, or surface-to-air missiles.
Blue tarps attempt to cover up the damage to North Korea’s new destroyer. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies
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New satellite images of the Chongjin port in North Korea show the aftermath of a failed ship launch on Wednesday: a capsized new destroyer still partially resting on the pier. The ship’s internal compartments are almost certainly flooded, complicating efforts to right it.
Calling the event a “serious accident” on Thursday, North Korean state media reported that the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, was watching the ceremony as the ship’s stern slid down a ramp ahead of schedule, jamming the entire vessel.
Satellite imagery from Airbus and Maxar Technologies show that North Korea likely planned a broadside launch of the 5,000-ton destroyer, a method that splashes the ship sideways into the water.
Related video North Korea is building a giant new warship
In one image, taken after the failed launch, the ship appears to be lying on its starboard side and still partially stuck on the ramp; the superstructure that is its highest point can be seen lying to the left of the hull, resting in or near the water. Much of the vessel’s frame seems obscured by blue fabric. The aerial image below reveals the line of the normally level aft flight deck fully on its side, at far right.
The destroyer that capsized is believed to be from the Choe Hyon-class of guided missile frigates. Airbus
The weight of the bow section on the pier may be pinning the destroyer in an exposed position and would be exacerbated by any internal flooding likely on the stern. These internal spaces would need to be de-watered before a heavy-lift crane has a chance to lift the 5,000-ton vessel.
Lee Sung-jun, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters on Thursday that Seoul also assessed the ship to be partially submerged. Seawater can corrode and short-circuit electronic systems and rust exposed metal, necessitating expensive and time-consuming repairs once it’s removed.
State media wrote that the launch mechanism malfunctioned, causing the stern to slide into the water while the bow remained stuck on land.
After watching the error, an irate Kim was quoted by state media as criticizing the officials involved in the launch, saying they were censured and that their mistakes would be “dealt with” at a party committee meeting next month.
This image, taken on May 18, shows the naval destroyer before it was damaged. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies
The North Korean leader further called the bungled launch a “serious accident and criminal act,” adding that it had “brought the dignity and self-respect of our state to a collapse in a moment.”
South Korean officials told reporters on Thursday that it’s likely the destroyer is in the same class as the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton vessel that it launched from a separate shipyard in April.
Analysts and top North Korea watchers have assessed that the Choe Hyon is the country’s largest warship to date.
Satellite images from early last month showed what experts said was likely the “fitting out” process of the ship, during which internal construction is completed and equipment is installed before the warship is handed over to North Korea’s navy. Then, in late April, North Korea unveiled the vessel during a ceremony at Nampo port. A ship is launched once it’s watertight and all of its major components are installed.
The only upside for North Korea is that during a ship launch likely no crewmembers would be aboard.
The Choe Hyon has been identified as a guided missile frigate and reportedly one of two in the class that are under construction. Some analysts suggested the warship looked capable of carrying a vertical launch system, an upgrade for North Korea’s naval capabilities that allows the warship to carry a larger arsenal of anti-ship, land-attack, or surface-to-air missiles.
South Korean TV shows the new frigate Choe Hyun at a launch ceremony at a North Korean shipyard in April 2025. Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Choe Hyon is just one example of Pyongyang’s naval modernization efforts. It’s been a top priority under Kim along with a broader military buildup. Much of that focus has been on the submarine force; North Korea unveiled a new missile submarine two years ago.
North Korea’s navy is considered “primarily a coastal force” per a 2021 US Defense Intelligence Agency report, consisting of about 60,000 personnel, 400 patrol ships, 70 diesel-electric submarines, and 260 amphibious landing craft. The country faces insufficient resources in its shipbuilding industry, a major challenge towards its naval modernization efforts.
While Choe Hyon appeared to be a sophisticated vessel, experts were waiting until its launch to observe potential capabilities and technologies.
Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow disrupt air travel for 60,000 passengers in Russia
Ukrainian drones forced mass flight delays and diversions at airports around Moscow on May 7, the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Mash reported. The disruption comes days before Russia’s Victory Day parade on May 9, one of the country’s largest public events and a key propaganda tool for Russian President Vladimir Putin. At least 29 world leaders and military personnel from 13 countries are expected to attend the parade. Putin announced a unilateral “humanitarian” truce from May 8 to midnight on May 11, but experts said such unilateral declarations contradict how legitimate ceasefires are negotiated. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia said recent Ukrainian military activity has led to airport closures that disrupted travel plans for at least 60,000 passengers across the country.
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Editor’s note: This story has been updated with data from the Association of Tour Operators of Russia.
Ukrainian drones forced mass flight delays and diversions at airports around Moscow on May 7, the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Mash reported.
The disruption comes days before Russia’s Victory Day parade on May 9, one of the country’s largest public events and a key propaganda tool for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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For a third consecutive day, the Kremlin reported downing Ukrainian drones approaching Moscow, disrupting aviation in the region.
According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, recent Ukrainian military activity has led to airport closures that disrupted travel plans for at least 60,000 passengers across the country. Around 350 flights were reportedly affected.
Mash claimed that the evening drone raid on May 6 caused a “collapse” at all airports in the Moscow Oblast, forcing numerous airliners to divert to other cities or delay departures. Some passengers were left on planes for several hours without food.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it had shot down two drones over the region.
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At Sheremetyevo Airport, dozens of people crowded information desks to change or surrender tickets on May 7, according to pro-Kremlin outlet Careful, Moscow.
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Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency also warned of flight delays across Central Russia “due to the late arrival of aircraft at the initial airports of destination.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to arrive in Russia on May 7 for a visit lasting until May 10. He plans to meet Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine, Russia-U.S. relations, and energy cooperation.
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Other expected guests include Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, though Fico’s attendance remains uncertain due to illness.
Ukraine has previously demonstrated its ability to strike Moscow with drones. In an apparent effort to shield Victory Day celebrations, Putin announced a unilateral “humanitarian” truce from May 8 to midnight on May 11.
Zelensky dismissed the move as a “theatrical performance,” and experts told the Kyiv Independent that such unilateral declarations contradict how legitimate ceasefires are negotiated.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3 that Ukraine could not guarantee the safety of foreign officials planning to attend Victory Day events in Russia.
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At least 29 world leaders and military personnel from 13 countries are expected to attend the parade.
Read also: Ukraine ramps up drone strikes on Moscow as Russian-friendly leaders set to attend Victory Day parade
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