What Does a Damaged North Korean Destroyer Look Like: New Satellite Images.

During the launching ceremony of the destroyer on May 21, 2025, attended by Kim Jong Un, the ship capsized and is now in dry dock. New images from satellites have shown the extent of damage to the ship's above-water structure, reports Glavkom.

According to reports, images from American company Maxar Technologies indicate that the destroyer is currently in dry dock in Rajin, near the border with Russia, in northeastern North Korea. After the ship's hull collapse, it had to travel 80 kilometers from Chongjin.

The ship has structural damage to its superstructure, with damaged metal visible in satellite images. Some parts of the destroyer were submerged in seawater, which may affect its mechanisms and electronics, and will require Time for recovery.

The Unfortunate Destroyer in North Korea: What Caused the Accident

The launching ceremony for the newly built destroyer in North Korea on April 22 ended unsuccessfully. Kim Jong Un believes this has damaged the state's dignity. The incident occurred at the shipyard in Chongjin.

During the launch of the destroyer, which has a displacement of 5,000 tons, problems arose. The stern launching mechanism released first, got stuck, and the subframe did not move parallelly. Holes in some areas of the ship's hull upset its balance, and the bow did not leave the ramp, leading to the accident.

As a result of the unfortunate launching ceremony of the destroyer in North Korea, the ship sustained serious damage and requires repairs for further operation. This incident significantly impacted the country’s political and military environment, highlighting issues in training at the shipyard.