New Developments in North Korea’s Naval Incident
Recent satellite imagery has revealed that North Korea has deployed what appear to be balloons next to its heavily damaged 5,000-ton warship, which has been lying on its side and partially submerged following a failed launch last week.
The specific function of these balloons remains unclear. Experts suggest they could serve either to assist in righting the ship or to provide cover from reconnaissance drones.
The Incident and Initial Damage Reports
The affected destroyer represents North Korea’s newest addition to its naval fleet, intended to showcase the nation’s advancements in naval technology. However, a malfunction during a launch on May 21 resulted in the rear of the vessel sliding too early into the water, leading to severe hull damage and leaving the bow stuck on the shipway. This incident marked a rare acknowledgment of failure from the state-run media, KCNA.
Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader who was present at the failed launch in Chongjin, condemned the incident as a “criminal act” and called for immediate repairs to the unnamed warship before the late-June plenary session of the ruling Workers’ Party, framing it as a matter of national pride.
In the aftermath, authorities have moved to address the situation, detaining four individuals, including the chief engineer of the shipyard, in an effort to hold accountable those perceived as responsible.
Speculations on the Use of Balloons
Analysts have suggested that the purpose of the balloons appears to revolve around the urgent need for repairing the damaged destroyer. According to South Korean National Assembly member and military analyst Rep. Yu Yong-weon, the balloons do not seem to be intended for refloating the vessel but could instead help mitigate further flooding.
Retired U.S. Navy Captain Carl Schuster posited that if these objects are indeed balloons, they could serve dual purposes: either to obscure the ship from low- to mid-level drone surveillance or to alleviate the stress on the section of the ship still resting on the pier, which is under significant strain.
Schuster highlighted that the damaged area is likely subjected to the most stress while the forward section remains elevated and dry.
Potential Risks Involved in the Salvage Operation
Nick Childs, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies specializing in naval forces and maritime security, cautioned that the use of balloons may endanger the ship further. He explained that the vessel is likely already under considerable stress, and any lifting from above risks exacerbating that situation.
Childs indicated that the conventional procedure would involve maximizing buoyancy to raise the ship from beneath rather than attempting to lift from above.
Satellite images from Maxar Technologies have shown that over a dozen balloon-like objects have surfaced around the destroyer since May 23, signaling a concentrated effort for an expedient response.
Characteristics of Deployed Objects
Experts believe that the objects may resemble aerostats, a category of aircraft that shares characteristics with dirigibles, as indicated by their shapes and potential tail fins. Similar to blimps, these structures utilize a lighter-than-air gas to provide buoyancy, allowing them to float above land or water.
Notably, the images do not appear to show any flotation devices providing support to either the hull or the body of the ship, according to Schuster. He suggested that this absence may point to the limited technological capabilities of North Korea’s maritime industry.
Repair Forecasts and Challenges
Previously, North Korean state media downplayed the damage to the destroyer, asserting that the hull was not severely compromised—only sustaining superficial scratches along its side and allowing minor seawater ingress. Initial estimates for repairs suggested a timeframe of around ten days, though many analysts remain unconvinced by this optimistic outlook.
Schuster noted earlier that actual repair efforts could extend for as long as six months, depending on the extent of the hull’s damage, the quantity of seawater that infiltrated the warship, and the formation of salt deposits on metal surfaces, particularly around joints.
Complexities of the Salvage Operation
The ship’s precarious position presents significant challenges for any salvage operation. Decker Eveleth, an associate research analyst at CNA, a defense-focused nonprofit, described the current scenario as “the worst possible situation,” with the vessel being half in the water and half on land.
Eveleth emphasized that a complete capsizing would simplify the recovery process compared to the current half-submerged state. Attempting to extract the sunken section risks twisting and damaging the keel—the ship’s structural spine—potentially rendering the ship entirely unusable.
Potential Solutions for Recovery
Given the complexities involved, Childs suggested that North Korea may need to dismantle portions of the ship to facilitate recovery, thereby making the salvage process more manageable. He concluded that the only viable way to free the vessel from the dock could involve deconstructing parts of the ship to right what remains and tow it away, ultimately deciding whether to rebuild or scrap it altogether.
