The clarification came after North Korean artillery, believed to be 122-mm self-propelled howitzers, was photographed near the coast of Kaepung County in North Korea, directly across from Gimpo in Gyeonggi Province.
Photos taken Sunday from Aegibong Observatory, about 1.5 kilometers from North Korean territory, showed artillery pieces with their barrels facing south and several North Korean soldiers apparently conducting drills with red flags.
The visible artillery raised questions over a possible show of force following Kim Yo-jong's warnings of a stronger military presence along the border.
"North Korea appears to be positioning and exposing existing older artillery pieces along the coastal area," Jang Do-young, spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said Tuesday.
"North Korea mentioned new weapons systems in its previous statements, but these cannot be considered such systems," he added.
The 122-mm self-propelled howitzers are among North Korea's established artillery systems, with an estimated firing range of 15 to 24 kilometers, placing parts of northern Gyeonggi Province within reach.
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul also acknowledged the unusual visibility of the artillery during a parliamentary audit Monday.
"I believe there could be various intentions behind positioning artillery where it can be seen," Kang said, adding that the military was closely monitoring the situation but had not identified other unusual developments.
"Our military is closely monitoring North Korean movements and maintaining a firm readiness posture to respond to any provocation," Jang said.
The latest developments come amid heightened tensions following a September 21 land mine explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that injured three South Korean soldiers.
Seoul has accused North Korean troops of planting the mines south of the MDL, while Pyongyang has denied responsibility.
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