[Anchor] North Korea, which recently added a territorial clause to its constitution, says it will deploy a new self-propelled howitzer to southern-front units before the end of the year. Chairman Kim Jong Un also boarded a 5,000-ton-class warship and, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, publicly showcased naval capability as part of a broader pressure campaign. Reporter Park Su-ju has the details. [Reporter] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a newly revealed 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. State media released images of the gun and announced plans for mass production, saying enough systems will be fielded to equip three long-range artillery battalions near the southern border within the year. Pyongyang claims the system’s range exceeds 60 kilometers. That puts it roughly on par with the maximum reach of South Korea’s K9 155 mm self-propelled howitzer when the K9 fires extended-range ammunition. From the armistice line, such a range would place Seoul and the greater Seoul metropolitan area — including Gyeonggi Province and Incheon — within striking distance. Shin Jong-woo, secretary-general of the Korea Defense & Security Forum, said the new system fires about three times farther than North Korea’s older 150 mm-class self-propelled guns and reflects efforts to upgrade previously lagging conventional capabilities. Kim also observed sea trials of North Korea’s first 5,000-ton-class destroyer, the Choe Hyun-ho, and ordered the navy to take delivery next month. State reporting disclosed a specific patrol corridor of 120 nautical miles at sea (about 222 kilometers), a detail analysts say signals an intent to threaten areas near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and to put some of South Korea’s primary naval bases at risk from the sea. North Korean media said Kim reached key decisions on design changes for follow-on destroyers and on planned shipborne weapons suites, and that he stressed construction of a new naval base. State footage showed Kim sitting with troops and sharing an instant-rice meal with his daughter Ju-ae, then posing for a group photo on the ship’s deck. Publishing images of him dining with soldiers is unusual; analysts interpret the gesture as an effort to bolster loyalty through personal engagement and to project a more relatable, hands-on leadership image. This is Park Su-ju with Yonhap News TV. [Video edited by Park Sang-gyu] For Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23 Park Su-ju (sooju@yna.co.kr)
North Korea Unveils New 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer: How It Compares to South Korea's K9
Park Soo-joo | 2026.05.09
[Anchor] North Korea, which recently added a territorial clause to its constitution, says it will deploy a new self-propelled howitzer to southern-front units before the end of the year. Chairman Kim Jong Un also boarded a 5,000-ton-class warship and, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, publicly showcased naval capability as part of a broader pressure campaign. Reporter Park Su-ju has the details. [Reporter] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a newly revealed 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. State media released images of the gun and announced plans for mass production, saying enough systems will be fielded to equip three long-range artillery battalions near the southern border within the year. Pyongyang claims the system’s range exceeds 60 kilometers. That puts it roughly on par with the maximum reach of South Korea’s K9 155 mm self-propelled howitzer when the K9 fires extended-range ammunition. From the armistice line, such a range would place Seoul and the greater Seoul metropolitan area — including Gyeonggi Province and Incheon — within striking distance. Shin Jong-woo, secretary-general of the Korea Defense & Security Forum, said the new system fires about three times farther than North Korea’s older 150 mm-class self-propelled guns and reflects efforts to upgrade previously lagging conventional capabilities. Kim also observed sea trials of North Korea’s first 5,000-ton-class destroyer, the Choe Hyun-ho, and ordered the navy to take delivery next month. State reporting disclosed a specific patrol corridor of 120 nautical miles at sea (about 222 kilometers), a detail analysts say signals an intent to threaten areas near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and to put some of South Korea’s primary naval bases at risk from the sea. North Korean media said Kim reached key decisions on design changes for follow-on destroyers and on planned shipborne weapons suites, and that he stressed construction of a new naval base. State footage showed Kim sitting with troops and sharing an instant-rice meal with his daughter Ju-ae, then posing for a group photo on the ship’s deck. Publishing images of him dining with soldiers is unusual; analysts interpret the gesture as an effort to bolster loyalty through personal engagement and to project a more relatable, hands-on leadership image. This is Park Su-ju with Yonhap News TV. [Video edited by Park Sang-gyu] For Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23 Park Su-ju (sooju@yna.co.kr)
Recommended Posts
US Approves $8.6 Billion Arms Sale to Middle East: What It Means for Israel, Qatar, and UAE
The Cost of War: U.S. Military Equipment Losses in Iran Conflict Soar to $2.9 Billion
G7 Diplomats Discuss Urgent Maritime Safety in Hormuz Strait: What’s Next?
2026 합동화력훈련: 한국군의 첨단 전력 공개, 국민참관단 모집!
North Korea's Missile Launch: A Bold Challenge to Global Peace Efforts
Is the Hormuz Strait Safe? Insights on Shipping and Oil Supply Amid US-Iran Tensions
Latest Popular Posts
Real-time TOP
