Kim's Navy Fail Balloons to the Rescue!

North Korea's Nautical Mishap: Salvaging a Capsized Warship

North Korea's ambition to bolster its naval power recently encountered a rather soggy snag. Late last month, during what should have been a celebratory launch, a brand-new warship unceremoniously capsized. This incident, a clear embarrassment for the nation's military aspirations, prompted a rather ingenious, if somewhat unconventional, salvage operation.

Under the ever-watchful eye and "do-or-die" directive of Kim Jong-un, North Korean engineers faced a significant challenge: how to right a 5,000-ton vessel without the benefit of heavy-duty lifting equipment? The answer, it turns out, was a blend of old-school ingenuity and sheer manpower.

Analysts, piecing together information from satellite imagery, revealed the rather unique solution employed by the North Koreans. Here's a breakdown of their approach:

• Balloon Power: Lacking sophisticated lifting machinery, engineers opted for large balloons to provide buoyancy.
• Human Wave: Hundreds of workers were deployed to assist in the salvage operation.
• The Target: The vessel in question was identified as a Choe Hyun-class destroyer, measuring an impressive 470 feet in length.

The results, however, speak for themselves. Just two weeks after the initial accident, thecapsized warship was observed upright in the harbor of Chongjin, a port city on North Korea's northeastern coast. It was floating approximately 580 feet from the launch ramp where the initial mishap occurred. This suggests a successful, albeit unconventional, recovery operation.

While the incident undoubtedly represents a setback for North Korea's naval modernization plans, the resourcefulness displayed in salvaging the vessel is noteworthy. The reliance on basic technology and a large workforce highlights the constraints under which North Korean engineers operate. It also offers a fascinating glimpse into how they overcome these challenges.

The salvaged warship, a Choe Hyun-class destroyer, will likely undergo thorough inspection and repair before it can be formally commissioned into the North Korean Navy. The incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most ambitious military programs are not immune to the occasional, and sometimes spectacular, mishap. What remains to be seen is how this event will influence North Korea's future naval endeavors and its overall approach to military development. This incident, tagged as: North Korea, Warship, Capsized, Navy, Kim Jong-un, Destroyer, Choe Hyun, Chongjin, Ship launch, Ship accident, demonstrates that innovation can arise even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/world/asia/north-korea-warship-salvage-capsize.html