A report emerged that North Korea's 5,000-ton destroyer, which was stranded during the launch process on the 21st, was set upright about two weeks after the accident.
The North Korea-focused media 38 North noted, "For the first time since the accident, the destroyer was seen upright," and released related photos. The destroyer was obscured by clouds, but the helicopter landing pad markings on the stern part of the destroyer were visible.
After the accident at the launch on the 21st of last month, the destroyer had been lying in the sea. The media reported that it is presumed North Korea manually set the ship upright. Photos taken on the 29th of last month captured workers on the dock pulling what seemed to be ropes connected to the vessel.
However, in the photo on the 2nd, the destroyer was still caught with the bow resting on the launch facility. On the 29th of last month, an image was observed that seemingly suggested the sonar attached to the bow was damaged. To repair it, the ship must be hauled out of the water and moved to a large dry dock, but such facilities do not exist at Chongjin Shipyard.
Previously, North Korea announced on the 22nd that a major accident occurred during the launch of a newly constructed 5,000-ton destroyer at the Chongjin Shipyard on the 21st. Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the entire accident, reportedly defined it as "a serious major incident and criminal act," ordering the punishment of those responsible and the restoration of the hull by June. According to Korean Central News Agency's report on the 25th, those involved in the accident were detained.