North Korea Reveals New Howitzer Targeting Seoul
North Korea Announces New Artillery System with Extended Range
North Korea has recently announced plans to deploy a new self-propelled howitzer this year, which it claims can strike all of Seoul and the southern border areas from a range of over 60 kilometers. This development comes amid growing concerns about military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Analysts believe that this move follows the recent constitutional revision in March, which included a "territorial clause" that effectively recognizes the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) as the official border between North and South Korea. This shift suggests that Pyongyang is escalating its military posturing against the capital region.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a key military-industrial complex on the 6th and inspected the production status of the new 155mm self-propelled howitzers. These weapons are set to be deployed to three long-range artillery battalions along the southern border this year. KCNA quoted Kim as stating, “The range now exceeds 60 km.” However, the accuracy of this claim remains uncertain.
South Korea's mainstay K9 self-propelled howitzer, which has seen cumulative exports surpassing 14 trillion Korean won, typically has a range of around 40 km. Despite having the same 155mm caliber as North Korea’s new howitzer, it is known that even with extended-range shells, the K9 does not reach 60 km. If North Korea’s claim is true, it would significantly increase the threat to Seoul and parts of southern Gyeonggi Province.
North Korea’s older 152mm self-propelled howitzers have a range of approximately 20 km, meaning the new howitzer could have more than three times the range. Shin Jong-woo, Secretary-General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, noted that the new howitzer appears to be equipped with an “automated fire control system” that automatically aims once target coordinates are input. This advancement indicates that North Korea’s artillery forces targeting the capital region have been strengthened.
U.S. Involvement in Diplomatic Efforts
Meanwhile, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell revealed on the 7th (local time) that U.S. President Donald Trump is “constantly seeking ways to deliver his message to Kim Jong-un.” During a meeting with reporters in Washington, D.C., on the same day, Campbell stated, “I believe President Trump, who is set to visit China on the 14th and 15th, will seek advice from President Xi Jinping on how to engage with Kim Jong-un.”
This highlights the ongoing diplomatic efforts by the United States to manage relations with North Korea, particularly in light of the recent military developments. The U.S. continues to play a crucial role in shaping the geopolitical landscape on the Korean Peninsula.
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