Cheonghaejin Ship, Projectile Landing Point Arrived

Raising Part of the Fuselage by Tying It Through Submerged Inclusion

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the 3,200-ton submarine rescue ship (ASR) Cheonghaejin will arrive at the launch debris drop point in the West Sea to salvage the debris of the North Korean space launch vehicle discovered by the military.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan on the same day, "When Cheonghaejin arrives at the site in the afternoon, it plans to conduct 'saturation diving' to prepare for tying and lifting some parts of the debris body."

Saturation diving is a diving technique that allows divers to stay underwater longer compared to conventional methods. Cheonghaejin is equipped with specialized equipment to assist saturation diving.

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop appeared before the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly the previous day and said that the salvage could take place as early as the 3rd, but the Joint Chiefs of Staff left open the possibility of delays.

A Joint Chiefs of Staff official said, "Currently, the launch vehicle is lying horizontally on the seabed at a depth of 75 meters, the same as yesterday morning," adding, "Salvage is a highly difficult and complex operation, so if any variables arise in the middle, the salvage timing could change."

When asked if the satellite body mounted on top of the launch vehicle had been found, the official said, "Nothing additional has been discovered," and added, "Several naval vessels including Tongyeong and Gwangyang, along with related equipment, are being deployed for the search."

Earlier, on the morning of the 31st of last month, the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed floating debris presumed to be part of the North Korean space launch vehicle about 200 km west of Eocheongdo, approximately an hour and a half after the launch. At the time of discovery, the debris was partially exposed above the water surface, appearing to be several meters long, and experts estimated it to be the connection section between the first and second stages of the propulsion system.

However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff explained that the debris is actually 15 meters long in total and has now completely sunk below the water surface. The military is reportedly considering transferring the debris to the relatively nearby Pyeongtaek naval base if the salvage is successful.