World · East Asia & Pacific · 52 mins ago
North Korea Displays Artillery Near South Korean Border
North Korean artillery was spotted near the border with South Korea on Monday, amid increased military activity.
The vehicles, identified by South Korean media as 122-mm self-propelled howitzers, were seen in Kaepung County, across from Gimpo.
South Korea’s military said the weapons appear to be older artillery, not the new system North Korea has recently threatened to deploy.
North Korean soldiers were also seen working on fences and taking part in what appeared to be a drill.
The two governments are disputing a September landmine blast inside the Demilitarized Zone, which separates them.
Seoul says a North Korean mine caused the explosion and violated the armistice; Pyongyang denies responsibility and accuses Seoul of fabricating the incident.
North Korea warned it could take self-defence measures if it says its sovereignty is violated, while both sides have raised their claims with the UN Security Council.
Three North Korean armoured vehicles, identified by South Korean media as 122-mm self-propelled howitzers, were spotted near the inter-Korean border on October 26.
The vehicles were seen in a coastal area of Kaepung County, across from Gimpo, with their gun barrels pointed south.
A South Korean military spokesperson said the artillery appeared to be legacy weaponry, not a new system.
North Korean soldiers were also seen working on fences and carrying out what appeared to be a drill near the border.
The deployment comes amid a dispute over border construction, warning shots and a September landmine explosion.
- Who
- North Korean forces deployed the artillery. South Korea’s military and news agencies reported the sighting.
- What
- Three armoured vehicles identified as 122-mm self-propelled howitzers were spotted near the border.
- When
- October 26, 2026.
- Where
- Near the western border in Kaepung County, North Korea, opposite Gimpo, South Korea.
- Why
- The sources do not establish the purpose. An analyst said the display could be intended as a warning to South Korea.
North Korea
South Korea
September landmine incident
North Korea
Pyongyang denied responsibility and accused Seoul of fabricating the incident.
South Korea
Seoul said a mine planted by North Korean troops caused the September 21 explosion.
Border activity
North Korea
North Korea said South Korea was portraying its border construction work as a military incursion and warned of consequences for violations of its sovereignty.
South Korea
South Korea said North Korean border work had crossed the Military Demarcation Line and that it uses warning broadcasts and shots when troops cross it.
An explosion occurred inside the Demilitarised Zone; South Korea blamed a North Korean mine, while Pyongyang denied responsibility.
South Korea sent a letter to the UN Security Council about the September explosion.
North Korea sent a letter to the UN Security Council rejecting South Korea’s allegations and warning of consequences for violations of its sovereignty.
Three North Korean armoured vehicles were spotted near the border, while soldiers were seen working on fences and carrying out activity described as a possible drill.
A South Korean military spokesperson said the artillery appeared to be legacy weaponry rather than a new system.
- Vehicles spotted
- Three armoured vehicles
- Weapon identified
- 122-mm self-propelled howitzers
- Location
- Kaepung County, opposite Gimpo, South Korea
- Sighting date
- October 26, 2026
- South Korean assessment
- Legacy artillery, not a new weapon system
8 sources
North Korean artillery pointed south stirs concern at border observatory
[쇼츠] 1.5km 거리 애기봉 전망대서 포착된 北 자주포
North Korea-South Korea tensions rise as howitzers spotted near border, blame game via UN intensifies
N. Korean artillery deployed along western border not seen as new weapon system: S. Korean military
‘北 자주포 뷰’ 된 김포 애기봉 스타벅스…“이것이 진정한 사이렌 오더”
Memanas, Korea Utara Pamer Howitzer di Perbatasan Korea Selatan
What people are saying
It is highly unusual (for North Korea) to expose its self-propelled artillery so conspicuously
By deliberately displaying it, North Korea is signalling through action, not words, that it intends to enforce its border policy through force rather than dialogue or negotiation.
Our understanding is that North Korea has deployed legacy artillery along coastal areas in plain view
While North Korea has mentioned new weapons systems in its recent statements, we believe that this cannot be considered as such