North Korea’s ruling party rejected a proposal to bring Russian cranes to salvage a new destroyer that capsized during its launch ceremony at Chongjin Shipyard, Daily NK has learned.
A high-ranking source in North Korea told Daily NK on Monday that two officials with the Munitions Industry Department were fired on May 25 for suggesting to the Central Committee’s secretariat that Russian cranes would be the fastest and most practical way to right the destroyer before the June plenary meeting.
The two officials’ report stated that righting the capsized destroyer and repairing damage for a quick launch would require four cranes with at least 600-ton capacity. Since Chongjin is close to Russia and the two countries engage in maritime trade, the officials suggested it should be feasible to bring cranes from Russia if the Russians were willing.
This suggestion apparently angered North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who said he wanted the damaged ship repaired but had not mentioned launching it.
“Considering that the whole world already knows about the accident, bringing in (Russian) cranes will make us a global laughingstock. Let’s not indulge in delusions about other countries,” Kim said in the reported outburst.
The two officials behind the report were immediately fired, though this wasn’t reported in the Rodong Sinmun or other North Korean media. The officials had reportedly been senior enough that their names were familiar to Munitions Industry Department staff.
Officials panic over potential punishment
“Everyone at the Munitions Industry Department and Chongjin Shipyard is panicking right now. People are keeping their heads down, afraid they might get fired for saying the wrong thing,” the source said.
North Korean authorities are detaining large numbers of officials in connection with the failed launch, which they describe as a serious crime. As a result, officials are desperate to save themselves.
There are also signs that officials at the Munitions Industry Department and Chongjin Shipyard are downplaying the damage to the destroyer as they shift blame out of fear of punishment.
Damage worse than originally reported
The Central Committee was initially told that damage was minor enough to be repaired by mid-June. But in reality, a 12-meter section of the bottom hull plating was dented, with gashes in some sections that flooded the auxiliary generator, sleeping quarters, and control room beneath the bridge. Electronic communication equipment and a deck-mounted antenna were also damaged.
The Rodong Sinmun and other North Korean media reported on May 23 that, contrary to initial reports, the hull was not punctured but rather gouged on the right side, while some seawater flooded the stern structure and passageways. But the source said the ship’s bottom was actually punctured in places.
“It was reported that there are no issues with the fuel tank, but crew on the ground say they’re still not certain about that. A ruptured fuel tank would be a huge problem, and everyone’s terrified that might have happened,” the source said.
If the ship flooded due to a punctured hull, repairs would probably take several months. But an internal report claimed that flooded compartments could be pumped out within five days, damaged outer plating could be replaced or welded shut in seven days, and various equipment could be reassembled and tested by early June.
The Munitions Industry Department and Chongjin Shipyard plan to provide photographs and videos showing the destroyer’s restoration before the Central Committee plenary meeting scheduled for late June.
“Orders are orders, so one way or another the ship will have to be righted and the outside repaired before this month’s plenary meeting. But while it may be possible to polish up the appearance, nobody knows how long it will take to completely restore the ship’s function,” the source said.
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