North Korea's warship launched after botched first attempt, KCNA says

North Korea has launched a warship that was damaged in May upon its attempted first launch, state media KCNA reported on Friday.

After restoring the balance of the 5,000-tonne destroyer earlier in June, it was launched on Thursday and is now moored at a pier, KCNA said.

Experts will examine the hull for the next stage of restorations, to be carried out at Rajin Dockyard for 7-10 days, KCNA said. The ship's full restoration is expected to be completed before a ruling party meeting this month.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who had witnessed the initial failed launch of the destroyer, had excoriated the accident as caused by "carelessness" that tarnished national dignity, and he ordered the ship restored before the party meeting.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

A woman walks past flags and towels bearing the images of Brazil's President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator and presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro for sale in a street in Brasiilia on October 22, 2026.

A wake-up call: The countdown for Latin American democracy — Opinion

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.