Recent satellite imagery has revealed that North Korea has positioned several balloons next to a damaged 5,000-ton warship, which has been overturned and partially submerged since a failed missile launch. While the exact purpose of these balloons remains unclear, experts suggest they may be intended to assist in righting the ship or to obscure it from surveillance drones.
The warship, touted as North Korea’s latest naval advancement, is embroiled in controversy following a malfunction during a launch attempt on May 21, which resulted in significant structural damage. Reports indicate that the stern of the vessel slipped prematurely into the water, compromising the hull and leaving the bow stranded. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who observed the launch failure, characterised the incident as a “criminal act” and has mandated rapid repairs to restore the ship’s integrity as a matter of national pride before a June meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party.
In the wake of the botched launch, authorities have reportedly detained several individuals, including the chief engineer responsible for the shipyard operations, in an effort to address the fallout. Analysts have noted that the use of balloons might aim to prevent further flooding in the damaged areas rather than to entirely refloat the ship.
Former US Navy Captain Carl Schuster highlighted that if the objects are indeed balloons, their function could range from minimising detection by drones to alleviating pressure on the damaged sections of the vessel. Given the potential stress the ship is already under, raising it using such methods could exacerbate any existing damage.
Experts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies indicated that North Korea’s approach may risk further complications in repairing the vessel, particularly as typical salvage operations would involve maximising buoyancy before attempting to lift it from underneath. Satellite images show a greater number of balloon-like features appearing since May 23, with speculation that these objects may be smaller aerostat balloons.
Despite initial claims from North Korean state media that the damage was less severe than anticipated and could be repaired in about ten days, analysts express doubt about the feasibility of such a timeline. Assessment of the ship’s damage could span weeks or even months, depending on factors such as water ingress and structural condition.
The complexities surrounding the ship’s position—half in water and half on land—further complicate repair efforts, with experts suggesting that salvaging may require dismantling parts of the vessel if it cannot be righted safely. This precarious state renders recovery particularly challenging, as improper handling could lead to total loss of the ship. Thus, North Korea might ultimately face the decision of whether to rebuild or scrap the stricken warship.