North Korea has conducted a test of upgraded 240mm rocket shells, raising the threat level in areas near the military demarcation line.
According to reports from Yonhap News and the Korean Central News Agency on September 24, the test was carried out on September 22 as part of a modernization plan for artillery and missile capabilities under a five-year national defense development goal.
The agency stated, "The upgraded 240mm guided rocket shells incorporate a precision guidance system, capable of striking targets at 100 kilometers using a ballistic flight mode and 115 kilometers with a gliding flight mode."
It further claimed, "The test verified the accuracy and superiority of the rocket shells."
Additionally, it noted that military leaders expressed a unanimous view that the development of extended-range guided rocket shells would significantly enhance the fire readiness posture along the southern border.
Park Jeong-cheon, a vice chairman of the Workers' Party Central Military Commission, emphasized the need to concentrate the most lethal and destructive attack capabilities at the southern border, stating, "We must ensure that our long-range strike capabilities are fully modernized in the shortest possible time, so that the enemy is aware of it."
He added, "Building the strongest artillery force is a fundamental strategy of our party's national defense construction," urging greater efforts and contributions from the defense science research sector and military labor class to strengthen military power.
The test was overseen by Ko Byeong-hyeon, chairman of the Second Economic Commission, and attended by Park Jeong-cheon, Kim Jeong-sik, first deputy director of the Central Committee, Jang Chang-ha, director of the Missile Bureau, and Yoo Chang-seon, head of the artillery bureau of the Korean People's Army General Staff.
The news of the test was not reported in the Rodong Sinmun or on state television, which are the primary sources of information for North Korean citizens.
Earlier, North Korea conducted a test launch of extended-range 240mm guided rocket shells in May under the observation of Kim Jong Un.
The 240mm rocket is a key long-range artillery piece that North Korea often references when threatening to turn Seoul into a "sea of fire." It is positioned near the front lines for surprise mass attacks on the capital region. This artillery has already been deployed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine after being transferred to Russia.
The older model has a range of about 60 kilometers, while the recently unveiled upgraded version appears to have nearly doubled its range and improved precision with the addition of guidance capabilities.
According to reports from Yonhap News and the Korean Central News Agency on September 24, the test was carried out on September 22 as part of a modernization plan for artillery and missile capabilities under a five-year national defense development goal.
The agency stated, "The upgraded 240mm guided rocket shells incorporate a precision guidance system, capable of striking targets at 100 kilometers using a ballistic flight mode and 115 kilometers with a gliding flight mode."
It further claimed, "The test verified the accuracy and superiority of the rocket shells."
Additionally, it noted that military leaders expressed a unanimous view that the development of extended-range guided rocket shells would significantly enhance the fire readiness posture along the southern border.
Park Jeong-cheon, a vice chairman of the Workers' Party Central Military Commission, emphasized the need to concentrate the most lethal and destructive attack capabilities at the southern border, stating, "We must ensure that our long-range strike capabilities are fully modernized in the shortest possible time, so that the enemy is aware of it."
He added, "Building the strongest artillery force is a fundamental strategy of our party's national defense construction," urging greater efforts and contributions from the defense science research sector and military labor class to strengthen military power.
The test was overseen by Ko Byeong-hyeon, chairman of the Second Economic Commission, and attended by Park Jeong-cheon, Kim Jeong-sik, first deputy director of the Central Committee, Jang Chang-ha, director of the Missile Bureau, and Yoo Chang-seon, head of the artillery bureau of the Korean People's Army General Staff.
The news of the test was not reported in the Rodong Sinmun or on state television, which are the primary sources of information for North Korean citizens.
Earlier, North Korea conducted a test launch of extended-range 240mm guided rocket shells in May under the observation of Kim Jong Un.
The 240mm rocket is a key long-range artillery piece that North Korea often references when threatening to turn Seoul into a "sea of fire." It is positioned near the front lines for surprise mass attacks on the capital region. This artillery has already been deployed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine after being transferred to Russia.
The older model has a range of about 60 kilometers, while the recently unveiled upgraded version appears to have nearly doubled its range and improved precision with the addition of guidance capabilities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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