North Korea to deploy new long-range artillery near border
by Thomas Maresca · UPISEOUL, May 8 (UPI) -- North Korea plans to deploy a new heavy artillery system along its border with South Korea this year, state media reported Friday, highlighting Pyongyang's continued focus on conventional firepower capable of threatening the Seoul metropolitan area.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a munitions factory Wednesday to review production of a "new-type 155 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer system," the state-run Korea Central News Agency reported.
KCNA said the weapons are being produced for deployment to three battalions assigned to long-range artillery units along the southern border this year. Kim said the system has a strike range of more than 60 kilometers, or 37 miles.
The South Korean capital of Seoul, with a population of over 10 million, lies roughly 30 miles from the border, while the surrounding Gyeonggi Province is densely populated and heavily industrialized.
"Such rapid extension of striking range and remarkable improvement of striking capability will provide a great change and advantage in the land operations of our army," Kim said during the factory visit, KCNA reported.
"We should redefine the operational concept of the use of forces and equipment on the basis of the actual conditions in which new weapons and equipment are being introduced," he added.
KCNA said the artillery system features an automatic firing system, improved battlefield information-processing capabilities and enhanced mobility. Kim said the upgrades would "radically" improve North Korea's long-range artillery force.
The deployment plan comes as Pyongyang hardens its military posture toward Seoul and formally abandons decades-old reunification language.
North Korea recently revised its constitution to remove all references to reunification with South Korea, cementing Kim's push to redefine inter-Korean ties as relations between two separate states.
The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has sought to reduce tensions since taking office in June, including by dismantling border propaganda loudspeakers and calling for renewed dialogue, but Pyongyang has largely ignored the overtures while continuing to expand its military capabilities.
In April, North Korea conducted several weapons tests, including tactical ballistic missiles with cluster bomb warheads and electronic warfare systems.
While the revised constitution does not explicitly define South Korea as an enemy, Kim in March described the South as a "hostile state."
In a separate report Friday, KCNA said Kim visited the country's first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, to observe a maneuverability test ahead of its commissioning.
The Choe Hyon is North Korea's largest and most advanced warship to date, and KCNA said Kim ordered the vessel to be handed over to the navy in mid-June as planned.
Pyongyang test-fired nuclear-capable cruise missiles from the Choe Hyon last month as Kim pushes to modernize and expand the country's navy. The vessel was launched in April last year.
KCNA also said Kim emphasized the construction of a new naval base for the destroyers, signaling broader ambitions to develop a blue-water navy.
A second destroyer, the Kang Kon, suffered an accident during its launch ceremony last year that left it listing on its side before being repaired and relaunched in June.
North Korean media has reported that two more destroyers are under construction. Kim has ordered a third 5,000-ton destroyer to be completed by Oct. 10, the anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.