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North Korea Reportedly Plans New 155mm Howitzers Capable of Reaching Seoul
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North Korea plans to deploy new long-range 155mm self-propelled howitzers along its southern border by the end of 2026, putting parts of the Seoul metropolitan area within range, North Korean media agency KCNA claimed on May 8.
The Seoul metropolitan area is home to roughly half of South Korea’s population, making any expansion of North Korea’s long-range artillery capabilities a direct security concern for the country’s civilian and political center.
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According to North Korean state media, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un inspected the new artillery system during a visit to a munitions enterprise. KCNA said the system would be delivered to three battalions as part of a broader effort to strengthen North Korea’s conventional firepower.
The howitzer reportedly has a firing range exceeding 60 kilometers, enough to reach parts of Seoul and surrounding areas, depending on its deployment near the Demilitarized Zone.
Self-propelled howitzers combine artillery range with mobility, allowing units to fire and relocate more quickly than towed systems. That mobility makes them harder to detect and target after firing.
Kim claimed the new system would give North Korean ground forces a “significant tactical advantage,” according to KCNA.
The artillery buildup at home runs in parallel with North Korea’s deployment of forces abroad, where its units have been fighting alongside Russian troops in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Pyongyang’s personnel remain involved in combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region, which Moscow has used as a launchpad for cross-border attacks against Ukraine.
Ukrainian intelligence reported that the units fired artillery, operated multiple-launch rocket systems, conducted aerial reconnaissance, and adjusted rocket strikes.
The deployment has given North Korean personnel direct battlefield experience in Russia's war on Ukraine, including exposure to modern drone warfare. Ukrainian assessments indicated that some soldiers were trained in unmanned systems and learned how to integrate drones into reconnaissance and strike operations.
South Korea’s Defense Intelligence Agency has previously estimated that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian forces have returned home and may now serve as instructors in areas including drone operations, artillery coordination, and reconnaissance.
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