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 leader watched as his new battleship sailed for the first time without any issues. This came after an embarrassing mistake last month when the ship had tipped over onto its side.
Images from satellites had shown the massive war vessel, called Kang Kon, tilting to the side. Its back was partly submerged while the front rested on the dock.
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.
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.
According to Michael Madden, the creator of North Korea Leadership Watch, there will be consequences for those responsible, with some facing loss of party privileges and possible short stints in prison.
But, more alarmingly, he claimed “some people are going to be shot to death behind this”.
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.
