North Korea claims warship launch successful on second try

North Korea has announced that it has successfully relaunched a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer after it capsized during its first launch attempt less than a month ago. The incident had caused great anger from the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, who demanded that the ship be repaired quickly. Following the accident, at least three shipyard officials and one senior official were arrested. State media reports that the warship has now been fully restored and was relaunched at Rajin Port in the north of North Korea. Kim Jong Un and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, were present at the launch event, which was covered by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). This destroyer, named Kang Kon after a North Korean general who died in the Korean War, is one of two new 5,000-ton naval destroyers that North Korea has built and launched since April. These ships are the largest in the North Korean fleet and are believed to be capable of launching nuclear weapons. Kim Jong Un has made it a priority to develop a nuclear-armed navy and has plans to build two more of these destroyers in the coming year. Satellite images showed the damaged ship in the harbor after the accident, then at a repair site, and finally moored at the pier after repairs. Despite the quick repair and relaunch, experts are questioning whether the ship has been fully fixed. Kim Jong Un stated that the failed first launch did not delay North Korea's military modernization program. He warned that soon, their enemies would experience the power of North Korea's navy as it operates near their waters.