North Korea says it will deploy new long-range artillery systems capable of striking South Korea’s capital region during 2026 and will commission its first naval destroyer in the coming weeks. The claim is presented by North Korea as part of ongoing military development, with the artillery described as able to reach targets in Seoul and surrounding areas.
The announcements come amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The South China Morning Post reports the statement follows days after South Korea said North Korea’s revised constitution removes references to Korean unification, aligning with leader Kim Jong-un’s stated aim to end efforts toward unification and promote a two-state framework.
Across the reports, the key points are consistent: North Korea intends to move or deploy artillery with the capability to threaten the Seoul metropolitan area and to bring its first naval destroyer into service soon. The sources do not provide independent verification of the capabilities or timelines, reflecting the difficulty of confirming North Korean military developments from outside the country.
