North Korea's naval mishap: Mystery balloons spark intrigue
North Korea is experiencing difficulties following the unsuccessful launch of its new Choe Hyon-class destroyer. Satellite images reveal mysterious "balloons" appearing around the vessel, prompting experts to speculate on their purpose.
What do you need to know?
- Destroyer launch: On 21st May, the Choe Hyon-class destroyer faced a failed launch at the port of Chongjin.
- Mysterious balloons: By 23rd May, elements resembling balloons appeared around the ship. These might be intended for stabilising the ship or concealing the incident site.
- Repair time: Official sources estimate that repairs will take approximately 10 days, but experts believe it could extend to six months.
What are the consequences of the failed launch?
On 21st May, a ceremony for the launch of the new Choe Hyon-class destroyer was conducted in the port of Chongjin, North Korea. Regrettably, a major accident occurred during the event. The ship lost equilibrium, capsized, and struck the pier, causing damage to part of the stern.
Kim Jong Un, who was present at the ceremony, ordered the ship's repair to be completed by the celebrations for the Workers' Party, scheduled for the end of June.
What do the mysterious "balloons" around the ship mean?
Recent satellite images disclose that elements resembling balloons have appeared around the partially submerged ship. Experts suggest these may be smaller versions of aerostatic craft, kept afloat by buoyant gas.
In discussions with CNN, experts speculate that the "balloons" might assist in righting the ship or disguising the incident site from drones.
Yu Yong-weon, a South Korean military analyst, said that it appears that installations resembling balloons have been set up not to lift the ship but to avert further flooding.
How long will it take to repair the destroyer?
North Korean media report the damage as less severe than initially assessed, suggesting repairs might take around 10 days. Nonetheless, analysts remain sceptical, predicting the work could last up to six months.
The damaged position of the ship complicates repair efforts, and experts propose that it may be necessary to disassemble the ship into parts and reassemble the undamaged sections.
