North Korea Tests Upgraded Guided Rocket Launcher Near South Korean Border
Pyongyang says its upgraded 240mm multiple-launch rockets can strike targets up to 115 kilometers away, while South Korea says it detected the launches and is analyzing them.
North Korea has test-fired upgraded guided shells for a 240mm multiple rocket launcher, presenting the system as part of an effort to strengthen firepower near the border with South Korea. Seoul’s military said it detected several rounds fired toward the Yellow Sea and is conducting a detailed assessment.
The test took place Tuesday under North Korea’s five-year program to modernize its artillery and missile forces, according to the country’s state media. The report said the range-extended rockets are fitted with what it described as an autonomous precision-guidance system.
North Korea claimed the rockets could reach a target 100 kilometers away when following a ballistic trajectory and as far as 115 kilometers in a combined glide mode. Those figures have not been independently verified. If accurate, the stated range would give the weapon the ability to threaten areas well beyond the immediate inter-Korean border.
Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party, called for the deployment of what he described as the most destructive attack forces along the southern border. State media also quoted military officials as saying the upgraded rockets would significantly change artillery readiness in the area.
The system’s development reflects Pyongyang’s continued focus on improving shorter-range strike capabilities aimed at South Korea. North Korea has accelerated military modernization since redefining inter-Korean relations in 2023 as ties between two hostile states, abandoning its previous language of eventual reunification.
South Korea’s military said it detected the North firing multiple rounds westward on Tuesday. It did not immediately provide its own estimate of the rockets’ range or confirm North Korea’s technical claims. The military said it was closely monitoring further activity while maintaining a combined defense posture with the United States and the ability to respond to provocations.
The latest test adds to security concerns on the peninsula because large-caliber multiple-launch systems can fire several projectiles in quick succession. Their mobility and volume of fire can complicate detection and interception, while improved guidance could make them more accurate against military facilities and infrastructure.
The launch also carries a political message at a time when relations between Seoul and Pyongyang remain deeply strained. North Korea’s emphasis on border deployment signals that the upgraded system is intended not only as a technical milestone but also as a direct warning to South Korea. Seoul’s analysis will be closely watched for an assessment of whether the test demonstrated a meaningful improvement in accuracy, range or operational readiness.