North Korea Raises Partially Sunken 5,000-Ton Warship Using Balloons

North Korea's new 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class warship, which partially capsized during a botched launch ceremony attended by Kim Jong Un, has been successfully righted and is now floating upright in O-Hang harbor, according to recent satellite images. The ship had rolled onto its side after a malfunction during the sideways launch, with the stern submerged and the bow stuck on the launch gear, causing significant damage to sections of the hull. Kim Jong Un described the incident as a "criminal act" caused by "absolute carelessness" and arrested four officials in response. The salvage operation involved the use of at least 30 large marine balloons, ropes, and other equipment to haul the vessel upright, though the ship still appears to be listing slightly and undergoing pumping and stabilization. Despite the successful righting, North Korea must refloat the vessel and transfer it to a graving dock for repairs, with Kim demanding the restoration be completed by the end of June, a timeline that observers consider optimistic. The incident marks a rare public admission of failure by the North Korean regime and highlights the challenges faced in advancing its naval capabilities.