Salvage Operations Continue at Chongjin

Key Findings

• Latest satellite image of Chongjin’s Hambuk Shipyard shows the ongoing salvage operation of the vessel assessed to be the second Choe Hyon-class guided missile destroyer (DDGHM), which failed during launch last week. 
• Progress has been slow: the bow has yet to be moved off the side slipway, and the vessel has not been brought upright. Numerous support vessels and craft are seen alongside the DDGHM, likely providing support for divers, water pumps, air pumps, and power for utilities. 
• Additionally, what appears to be dredging operations have begun within the harbor entrance channel over the past few days. This effort may be to ensure that there will be no further challenges to the vessel’s departure once it has been brought upright and made safe to sail or be moved by a floating dry dock.  
• Given the level of salvage progress observed in satellite imagery, the stated North Korean goal of first pumping the seawater out of the submerged hull sections in 2-3 days and then moving the bow off the side slipway in approximately 10 days is optimistic but not entirely implausible with an all-out maximum effort by the country’s maritime industry. 
• As past experience with numerous failures in its missile program has demonstrated, the failed DDGHM launch will delay, but not deter, North Korea’s naval buildup efforts. 

A satellite image acquired on May 26, 2025, provides an update on the ongoing salvage operation for the vessel assessed to be the second Choe Hyon-class DDGHM at Chongjin’s Hambuk Shipyard.  

North Korean state media announced on May 23, 2025, a day after the reporting of the failed launch, that “it will take two or three days to keep the balance of the warship by pumping up the seawater from the flooded chamber and making the bow leave the slipway and 10-odd days to restore the warship’s side.” ¹ Three days after this assessment, satellite image shows that progress has been slow: the bow has yet to be moved off the side slipway, and the vessel has not been brought upright. It is presently presumed that the bow will be raised and moved into the water before the vessel is brought upright. It is unclear whether the vessel will remain at the Hambuk Shipyard once upright or be moved to another shipyard for its fitting-out and commissioning.  

The latest available satellite image shows the tarps covering the vessel repositioned, and clearer outlines of the UAV/helicopter deck on the stern, the superstructure with a mast amidships, and the bow with its sonar fairing.   

Aside from a barge crane and two larger support vessels, numerous small craft are seen nearby and alongside the DDGHM. These craft are likely providing support for divers, water pumps, air pumps, and power for utilities (e.g., lights, compressors, etc.) as needed. Some of the small objects observed around the vessel, measuring approximately six to eight meters, are potentially air balloons. Personnel and equipment are also seen dispersed along the building way in support of the salvage operations. Notably, there are no fishing vessels within the harbor, which allows for unobstructed movement for salvage, dredging along the harbor entrance channel, and accident investigation operations.  

Two tugboats have now arrived and can be seen tied up on the north side of O-hang. Additionally, what appears to be dredging operations have begun within the harbor entrance channel over the past few days. This effort may be to ensure that there will be no further challenges to the vessel’s departure once it has been brought upright and made safe to sail or be moved by a floating dry dock.  

Given the level of salvage progress observed in satellite imagery, the stated North Korean goal of first pumping the seawater out of the submerged hull sections in 2-3 days and then moving the bow off the side slipway in approximately 10 days is optimistic but not entirely implausible with an all-out maximum effort by the country’s maritime industry. However, even if such an effort is successful, it will not restore the vessel to its pre-launch status. After the vessel is brought upright, a significant amount of work (e.g., replacing electrical wires and equipment, removing corrosion caused by saltwater, etc.) will be required to achieve this level of readiness. This does not preclude North Korea from conducting a relaunching ceremony shortly after it is upright for propaganda purposes. As past experience with numerous failures in its missile program has demonstrated, the failed DDGHM launch will delay, but not deter, North Korea’s naval buildup efforts.