Helping Hand from the East: What Happened to Kim Jong Un's Malfunctioning Warship
Remains found from sunken warship linked to Kim Jong Un
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link The relationship between Russia and North Korea is stronger than ever. The unpredictable Kim Jong Un is aiding the Russian army in their operations in Ukraine, and in exchange, he's receiving top-notch military technology - plus help with the repair of the damaged warship?
The pride of the North Korean navy: a new 5,000-ton warship designed to carry tactical atomic missiles. But the maiden voyage on May 21 was a disaster. The ship, named after a former North Korean defense minister, lost balance, tipping sideways, and the bow got stuck on the ramp.
According to military expert Yang Uk from South Korea's Asan Institute, "Launching a warship of this size sideways is usually applicable for smaller vessels. This incident is likely due to North Korea's lack of experience in launching ships of this magnitude."
Kim Jong Un's Fury After the Naval Mishap - Arrests
Kim Jong Un witnessed the debacle firsthand. Even censored news in the isolated nation couldn't hide it. In a state-TV broadcast, it was reported that Kim was furious and called it a "criminal act" caused by "absolute carelessness and irresponsibility."
Predictably, some days later, scapegoats emerged: Kim had three leading shipyard workers, including the chief engineer, arrested. They might face interrogation and potential punishment, including execution.
Warship Repaired Close to the Russian Border
The vessel was finally launched into the water, albeit belatedly. The water that seeped in was pumped out, and the ship was righted again after the launching mishap in early June. It then mysteriously appeared in the dry dock of the port of Rajin - just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, leading analysts to believe Russia might have aided in the damaged warship's repairs.
Rajin is located far north in North Korea, within a special economic zone. Many believe the proximity to the Russian border is the reason for the help received from Moscow.
The Russian Influence on North Korea's New Destroyers
According to the "Wall Street Journal," citing marine analysts, North Korea couldn't have built its two newest destroyers without foreign assistance - the first ship of the new Choe-Hyon class had its launch in late April without major incidents. Both ships feature clear Russian design influences.
For instance, the "distinctive bow and stern structure" closely resembles the frigates of the Russian Admiral Grigorovich class. Furthermore, the hull lines and side transitions are almost identical.
The Russian influence becomes even more apparent when examining the equipment. One of the two North Korean warships is likely outfitted with the Pantsir-M system, a Russian air defense system, a system never employed on a non-Russian vessel before.
Nine Million Artillery Shells from North Korea
Rajin is considered a "key hub" for the North Korean-Russian relationship. Pyongyang is striving to deepen economic and military ties with Moscow. According to the Institute for War Studies (ISW), North Korean arms shipments to Russia's neighbor, Vladivostok, originate from Rajin. Official statements on this matter are, of course, non-existent.
According to the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), North Korea exported nine million artillery shells and at least one hundred ballistic missiles to Russia last year alone. In exchange, Moscow has supplied Pyongyang with air defense equipment, anti-aircraft missiles, electronic warfare systems, and refined oil.
Sources:- ntv.de- Institute for War Studies (ISW)- Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT)
Keywords:- Vladimir Putin- Kim Jong Un- Russia- North Korea- Diplomacy- Warships- Repair- Russian Influence- Military Cooperation
(Enrichment: The Choe-Hyon class destroyer suffered a launch failure in May 2023 which resulted in damage to the bow. The ship was taken to a dry dock near the Russian border for repairs. The migration of the ship is believed to havebeen facilitated by Russia, who are suspected of providing assistance in its repair. Satellite imagery suggests that the ship is still in the dry dock for repairs, but the extent of the damage and completion timeline are unknown.)
The Commission, amidst the ongoing political tensions and general-news events such as the repair of Kim Jong Un's malfunctioning warship, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the warship's possibly damaging incident and the suspected foreign assistance in its repair.
As the two newly built North Korean destroyers with evident Russian influences sail near the Russian border, questions about the extent of Russian involvement in North Korea's military technology and potential future collaborations continue to rise, raising concerns about the further intensification of political ties and potential risks in the region.
