North Korea Restores and Launches Its Damaged Destroyer

• North Korea has restored its destroyer and conducted its launch on the eastern part of the country.
• Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of the new destroyer in strengthening the military capabilities of the fleet.
• Independent experts express doubts about the credibility of the information regarding the destroyer's repair.

This was reported by Associated Press, CNN.

Restoration of North Korea's Destroyer

North Korea announced that it has repaired its damaged destroyer and launched it into the water. This information was reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on June 12, 2025, indicating that the launch took place on the eastern coast of the country in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un.

Importance of the New Destroyer

Kim Jong Un stated that the two destroyers built this year, including the one that was launched, will play an important role in enhancing the operational capabilities of the North Korean fleet. He also emphasized that strengthening military capabilities is a necessary response to threats that he perceives as coming from the U.S. and its allies in Asia.

History of the Destroyer's Damage

Last month, North Korea reported that the destroyer sustained damage during a failed launch, which provoked outrage from Kim Jong Un. He promised to strengthen the military fleet to counter what he calls the growing threats from the U.S.

Uncertainty Surrounding the Repair

Despite North Korea's announcement, independent experts find it difficult to confirm this information due to the closed nature of the country. There have been previous indications of uncertainty regarding the severity of the destroyer's damage, as well as doubts about whether North Korea was truly able to repair it in a short timeframe.