Seoul: South Korea's military announced that a North Korean warship, which partially capsized during a launch ceremony in May, has now been restored to an upright position, with ongoing restoration efforts.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the 5,000-ton warship tipped over during its launch in Chongjin on May 21. The incident prompted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to label it a "criminal act" and demand the ship's restoration before a significant party meeting scheduled for late June.

Col. Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), confirmed at a regular press briefing that the warship has returned to an upright position, with further restoration believed to be in progress. He stated that both South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are monitoring the situation closely, particularly the activities at Chongjin port.

The JCS noted that North Korea is likely to start draining water from the warship as part of the restoration efforts. However, Col. Lee did not confirm whether North Korea could meet the deadline set by Kim Jong-un, emphasizing that further analysis is required to assess any changes to the warship's keel.

In response to the incident, North Korea has launched a comprehensive investigation, detaining key officials associated with the warship project. The North's state media previously reported that the damage is "not serious" and that the "rehabilitation plan" is proceeding on schedule.

South Korean military assessments suggest that the mishap may have been due to North Korea's failure in employing a side launching technique.