North Korea could deploy artillery units to Kaesong Industrial Zone and Mt. Kumgang tourist area


According to information released by the South Korean newspaper website Yonhap News on June 17, 2020, North Korea has announced the possibility to deploy artillery and armored units equipped with self-propelled guns and multiple rocket launchers to the Kaesong Industrial Zone and Mt. Kumgang tourist area located near the border with South Korea.
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North Korean artillery units conduct a military exercise with dozens of artillery pieces. (Picture source Twitter)


According to information from intelligence services of South Korea, North Korea had stationed the Sixth Division, 64th Division and 62nd Artillery Brigade in Kaesong and the adjacent areas. The 62nd Brigade was equipped with the 170-mm guns and 240-mm Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS).

Currently, artillery units of North Korean armed are equipped with 8,600 towed howitzers including self-propelled howitzers 122mm M-1977, M-1981, M-1985, M-1991, 130mm M-1975, M-1981, M-1991, 152mm M-1974, M-1977, M-2018, 170mm M-1978 and M-1989.

North Korean armed forces are also equipped with towed howitzers 122mm D-30, D-74, M-1931/37, 130mm M-46, 152mm M-1937, M-1938, and M-1943 as well as 5,500 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems with 107mm Type-63, VTT-323, 122mm BM-11, M-1977 (BM-21), M-1985, M-1992, M-1993, VTT323, 200mm BMD-20, 240mm BM-24, M-1985, M-1989, M-1991, and some 300mm.


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North Korean M-1978 Koksan 170mm tracked self-propelled artillery system (Picture source Twitter)


The M-1978 Koksan is a 170 mm self-propelled gun of North Korean design and manufacture. It is the most powerful artillery system in North Korea. It has a maximum firing range of 60 km with rocket-assisted projectile (RAP) projectiles.

North Korean continues to develop MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems) for many years. In August 2019, North Korea announced the launch of a new large-caliber multiple launch guided rocket system mounted on tracked chassis. The new systems will be able to fire guide missiles and rockets at a maximum range of 250 km.

With this new MLRS, North Korea will have the potential to extend North Korea’s current 190 km-range multiple launch rocket capabilities at least another 60 km into South Korea. In April 2017, North Korea has released a video showing the use of dozens of artillery pieces during an artillery military exercise.


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A North Korean military "Combined Fire Demonstration" in Wonsan.