free web stats Kim Jong-un finally ‘launches a ship WITHOUT sinking it’: Despot tours ‘repaired destroyer’ a month on from humiliation – Zing Velom

Kim Jong-un finally ‘launches a ship WITHOUT sinking it’: Despot tours ‘repaired destroyer’ a month on from humiliation


TYRANT Kim Jong-un has reportedly relaunched his 5,000-tonne colossal warship – after it spectacularly capsized during its first launch last month.

The North Korean dictator witnessed his new destroyer’s successful maiden voyage – after a humiliating blunder last month which saw the vessel end up on its side.

Kim Jong Un and his daughter attending the launch ceremony of a North Korean destroyer.
Kim Jong-un, pictured with his daughter Kim Ju Ae (L), relaunched his huge warship which capsized last month
EPA
Confetti and a North Korean flag balloon at a warship launching ceremony.
Reuters

The successful launch was witnessed by Kim at Rajin Port[/caption]

Photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter at the launch ceremony of a destroyer.
EPA

The huge 5,000 ton warship half-sunk into the water in May[/caption]

Satellite pictures previously revealed the huge warship, named Kang Kon, floundering sideways – with its stern partially sunk and its bow lying on the harbour jetty.

Furious Kim deemed to find and punish those found responsible for the embarrassing fail.

He slammed the “criminal act” caused by “absolute carelessness” in a rare admission of failure – and arrested four officials.

But state media have now claimed that the intimidating warship has finally been restored.

Experts have questioned whether the boat’s repairs are actually sufficient, given the reported speedy turnaround.

Kim and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, are understood to have witnessed the triumphant launch at Rajin Port in the north of the country, according to KCNA.

Images showed the smiling despot wearing a thin summer hat as he walked cheerfully in front of clapping navy officers.

It comes after the half-sunk was seen being hauled upright using giant balloons after it capsized.

North Korea’s state broadcaster also reported that sections of the hull had been crushed.

The highly-secretive authorities appeared to have tried to hide the disaster by placing blue tarpaulin across the wreck.


Pictures from May 29 showed workers standing on the quay pulling ropes attached to the boat.

And at least 30 balloons appeared to have been connected along one side – presumably to haul it upright.

On launch day, crews had attempted to slide the ship sideways into the water.

A malfunction meant that the stern entered while the bow remained on the launch gear.

It is likely that the launch mechanism snagged the bow, preventing it from plopping into the sea, reports 38north.

This theory is supported by satellite imagery from May 29, which seems to show damage to the bow.

Seething Kim demanded that the repairs be completed by the end of June – and it now appears that engineers have managed to do this in time.

Satellite image of a damaged Choe Hyun-class destroyer being repaired.
Pleiades NEO/ Airbus DS

Around 30 large balloons can be seen attached to the boat along with ropes[/caption]

Kim Jong Un and his daughter boarding a North Korean destroyer.
AFP

Kim Jong Un (C) and daughter Ju Ae (center L) boarding the destroyer[/caption]

Illustration of Kim Jong-un and his new warship, a destroyer.

The dictator was fuming in the wake of the embarrassment, and said it brought shame on the country.

Four people have been arrested so far, including chief engineer Kang Jong Chol, hull workshop head Han Kyong Hak, and deputy manager Kim Yong Hak.

It’s unclear what punishment they will face, though an expert told The Sun their fates could be fatal.

Michael Madden, founder of North Korea Leadership Watch, said: “Some people will lose their party memberships and be sent to jail for short sentences.”

But, more alarmingly, he claimed “some people are going to be shot to death behind this”.

Satellite image of a damaged North Korean warship in a harbor.
AFP

A view of the warship before its failed launch[/caption]

Satellite image of a Choe Hyun Class destroyer.
Pleiades NEO/ Airbus DS

The boat after being restored to an upright position[/caption]

Kim Jong Un on a North Korean destroyer with uniformed sailors.
AFP

Kim boarding the destroyer ‘Kang Kon’ at the Rajin shipyard[/caption]

The launch failure marked a huge setback for Kim, who has been modernizing his navy to keep up with the West.

The huge Kang Kon naval destroyer is believed to be the same class as the Choe Hyon – North Korea’s largest warship yet.

North Korea’s state media – which also serves as Kim’s leading propaganda machine – reported that the vessel was equipped with the “most powerful weapons”.

Now it is seemingly upright and operational, the destroyer will surpass the current largest vessel in North Korea, a 1,360-tonne frigate.

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