North Korea said it will deploy a "new 155-millimeter (mm) self-propelled flat-trajectory artillery weapons system" to the southern border that can put Seoul within range. The system is a self-propelled gun based on the Western standard caliber of 155 mm, suggesting North Korea is moving to introduce a modern artillery system with enhanced automation and mobility.
Korean Central News Agency reported on the 8th that Kim Jong-un, the chairperson of the State Affairs Commission, visited an important munitions enterprise on the 6th and "reviewed (assessed) the production status of three battalions' worth of new self-propelled flat-trajectory artillery that are to be equipped to long-range artillery units on the southern border within this year."
The outlet said Kim expressed satisfaction with the "proud achievement of excellently producing a new generation artillery weapon with very high mobility and firepower strike capability."
Regarding the military strategic value of the self-propelled flat-trajectory artillery weapons system, Kim said, "Along with various operational-tactical missile systems and powerful multiple rocket launcher weapons systems, the range of the large-caliber rifled guns to be reequipped to forward units will now exceed 60 km."
This is seen as an intention to deploy to front-line units within the year self-propelled guns that can amply place Seoul within range based on the armistice line.
Kim went on to note that "the new-type artillery weapons system, equipped with outstanding mobility, high combat-environment information processing capability, and an automatic firing system, will completely revamp the composition of our artillery force," adding, "Based on the realistic conditions in which new armaments are being introduced, we must redefine the operational concept for employing capabilities and equipment."
That day, Kim toured newly produced main battle tanks and launcher vehicles at the armored weapons research institute and a munitions industrial enterprise, stressing that "upgrading technology to a cutting-edge level in the shortest time and establishing a modern production and management system is a matter of utmost urgency."
He then foreshadowed that "the 9th Central Committee's 2nd plenary meeting will deliberate and approve the technological upgrading plans and related budgets for the relevant munitions industrial corporations."
On the 7th, the following day, Kim boarded the destroyer "Choi Hyon-ho," which is set to be commissioned, observed a comprehensive mobility evaluation test, and ordered delivery to the navy in mid-June. His daughter Ju-ae accompanied the inspection.
Kim inspected Choi Hyon-ho's comprehensive command post and the weapons systems control room and assessed the state of operational readiness, expressing satisfaction that the ship's combat mobility met operational requirements and that the superiority of the so-called "our-style ship control system" was confirmed.
Kim also placed special emphasis on the "important task" related to the "establishment of a new naval base," the central outlet said.
Kim also reached important conclusions regarding design changes for the third and fourth ships of the "Choi Hyon"-class destroyers now under construction, the outlet added.
Regarding the modified shipbuilding plan, Kim said, "Our new decision carries a grave strategic character," adding, "This decision will fundamentally renew the preparedness posture for our military's strategic actions and bring about a major change in building war deterrence."
Shin Jong-woo, secretary-general of KODEF, said, "After building the lead ship, they aim to identify internal and external improvements through testing and evaluation to upgrade the performance of follow-on ships," and assessed the day's comprehensive evaluation test of Choi Hyon-ho as "a sea trial for operational deployment, suggesting they are hurrying to field the asset to strengthen sea-based nuclear forces."