North Korea to Deploy New Long-Range Artillery Near Seoul Border This Year

Seoul- North Korea plans to deploy a new long-range self-propelled artillery system along its border with South Korea by the end of this year, according to state media reports released on Friday.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a munitions factory on Wednesday to inspect production of a “new-type 155 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer.”

The report said the artillery systems are intended for three battalions that will be deployed at a long-range artillery unit positioned along the country’s “southern border.”

According to KCNA, the new artillery system has a firing range of more than 60 kilometres, placing Seoul within striking distance from North Korea’s frontline military positions.

During the visit, Kim reportedly stressed the importance of further strengthening the country’s military capabilities and said that 2026 would mark another major phase in boosting national defence preparedness.

KCNA quoted him as urging officials and workers to deliver “signal successes every day” through intensified efforts to improve military readiness.

In a separate report, KCNA said Kim also visited the newly built 5,000-tonne warship Choe Hyon on Thursday to oversee a manoeuvring assessment test ahead of its official commissioning.

Images released by North Korean state media showed Kim accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, during the inspection.

Kim boarded the destroyer during a navigation test in the Yellow Sea and reviewed the vessel’s operational and combat capabilities.

Expressing satisfaction over the ship’s development, he instructed officials to ensure the vessel is handed over to the navy by mid-June as planned.

According to reports, Pyongyang has already conducted multiple strategic cruise missile tests from the destroyer. Analysts believe the vessel could potentially carry nuclear-capable weapons.

North Korea first unveiled the Choe Hyon in April last year as part of a broader military modernisation programme focused on strengthening naval forces.

After launching another destroyer, the Kang Kon, in June 2025, Kim reportedly ordered construction of a third vessel of the same class ahead of the founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on October 10.

With inputs from IANS