North Korea has placed three mobile artillery guns aimed south near the Demilitarized Zone, a highly visible show of force as tensions with South Korea rise.
A Reuters witness saw the guns by Monday from Aegibong observatory in Gimpo, which faces across the border toward North Korea’s Kaepung County. South Korean media and analysts identified the vehicles as older 122mm M-1981 howitzers. Separate photographs reviewed by NK News also showed artillery near the western border.
Some analysts saw the guns’ exposed position as a deliberate warning. But the position alone does not show that an attack is imminent. One expert said the weapons’ estimated range, up to about 24 kilometers, could reach parts of the South Korean area around Gimpo.
The latest display comes during a dispute over a landmine blast in September that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul has blamed North Korea for the blast. Pyongyang denies responsibility and accuses Seoul of making up the incident.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister has also warned that anti-South Korean propaganda loudspeakers could be readied along the border. North Korean troops have meanwhile continued work to strengthen defenses in the area, adding to concern about the visible artillery placement.