North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has announced plans to deploy three new battalions of long-range artillery to the country’s southern border with South Korea by the end of 2026. The move, reported by state news agency KCNA on Friday, May 8, is part of a broader effort to modernize Pyongyang’s conventional forces and increase its ability to strike the Seoul metropolitan area.
During a visit to a major munitions factory, Kim inspected the production of a “new-type 155-mm self-propelled gun-howitzer.” These units reportedly feature a striking range exceeding 60 kilometers (37 miles), a distance that would place much of Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi province—South Korea’s most populous region—well within reach of frontline positions.
Kim expressed satisfaction with the automated shooting systems and high mobility of the new weapons, stating they would provide a “great change and advantage” in land operations.
In addition to the artillery build-up, Kim oversaw maneuverability tests for the Choe Hyon, a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer. Accompanied by his daughter (believed to be Kim Ju-ae), Kim reviewed the warship’s performance in the West Sea and ordered that it be officially commissioned and delivered to the navy by mid-June 2026.
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The Choe Hyon is considered the North’s most advanced surface vessel to date. Recent tests have shown the destroyer is capable of launching strategic cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, which analysts believe could be equipped with nuclear warheads. Kim also confirmed that design changes are being implemented for the third and fourth vessels of the same class currently under construction, describing the decision as having “significant strategic character.”
The deployment comes amid a period of record military activity from Pyongyang. In early 2026, North Korea formally abandoned its goal of peaceful reunification, removing such references from its constitution and redefining South Korea as its “primary adversary.” The regime has spent much of the year showcasing its mass production capabilities for conventional weapons, including tanks and rocket launchers, alongside its ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
