The Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed on the 5th that a 5,000-ton North Korean destroyer, which had capsized and run aground during a launch ceremony on the 21st of last month, has been righted.
Lee Sung-jun, Deputy Minister of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Public Affairs Office, noted at a regular briefing at the Ministry of National Defense, "We confirmed earlier this week that the North Korean vessel, which was leaning in Cheongjin Port, has been righted." He added, "I understand that additional work is being carried out, and since the ship was submerged in water, they are probably carrying out drainage work." It was reported that the ship was righted on the 2nd, and the military immediately identified it on the same day.
The North Korea-focused media outlet 38 North, published in Washington, D.C., also reported on the 3rd (local time) that, as of the 2nd when commercial satellite images were taken, the destroyer was observed upright for the first time since the incident occurred. The media suggested that a balloon-like object played a role, but the Joint Chiefs of Staff evaluated that cranes and other equipment were used to right the ship, and the buoyancy of the balloons would have been minimal.
In response to a query from reporters about whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's directive to complete repairs by June would be fulfilled, the Deputy Minister judged that the repair details and duration could vary depending on the vessel's damage and deformation. He added, "More time is needed for detailed analysis."