North Korea’s warship launch failure

Four officials have been arrested over the failed launch of a new
destroyer that enraged North Korean leader Kim Jong Un


CHOE HYON-CLASS DESTROYER

Displacement: 5,000 tonnes
Length: 144m

Pantsir-M air
defence system 

127mm naval gun

Flight deck for helicopter
or drone operations

Vertical launch system (VLS) capacity
74 cells for cruise/surface-to-air missiles


1 Apr 25, Nampo: Successful
launch of Choe Hyon – largest and
most powerful ship in North’s fleet

2 May 21, Chongjin: Accident
occurs during sideways launch of
second Choe Hyon-class destroyer.
Ship damaged and left lying on its
side, partially submerged

Embarrassing incident witnessed
by Kim Jong Un


CHINA
Pyongyang
2

NORTH 
KOREA

Sea of Japan
(East Sea)

1

SOUTH
KOREA

200km
125 miles


May 18: Satellite image shows
second Choe Hyon-class
destroyer upright on quay

Launch ramp 

Viewing
area

May 23: Ship draped in tarpaulins
following accident

Stern slid into
water due to
misfiring of
launch sled

Bow on
quayside

Launch
ramp


Sources: BBC, CSIS, New York Times
Pictures: NYT/Maxar Technologies 
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