North Korea has launched the warship that was damaged in its first attempt in May, the country's state media outlet CTAK reported, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
After the 5,000-ton destroyer was restored to balance earlier this month, it was launched yesterday and is now docked at a pier, CTAK reported.
Experts will examine the hull for the next stage of repair work, which will be carried out at the “Rajin“ shipyard for 7-10 days, the media added. The ship's full restoration is expected to be completed before a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea this month.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who witnessed the destroyer's initial failed launch, condemned the incident as caused by "negligence" that tarnished national dignity and ordered the ship to be restored before the party meeting.