Brief

North Korean artillery pointed at South Korea’s DMZ, observers say

Three self‑propelled 122‑mm howitzers were photographed with barrels facing the Demilitarised Zone, while up to 30 soldiers worked on fencing inside the zone.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:38:53 GMT

Visitors to the Aegibong observatory near Gimpo on 27 October reported seeing three North Korean self‑propelled 122‑mm howitzers with their barrels pointed toward the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), according to the Independent.

What happened

South Korean media photographed an armoured vehicle near the frontier on Friday, and by Monday three such vehicles were in clear view, each aimed southward. Up to 30 North Korean soldiers were also observed carrying out fencing work inside the DMZ.

What the reports add

The Independent identified one of the vehicles as a self‑propelled 122‑mm howitzer, a system that entered North Korean service in the late 1970s. The howitzer’s maximum range is about 15 miles, which would place the South Korean town of Gimpo within reach.

What was said

Jang Gil‑seong, an 83‑year‑old Vietnam‑war veteran, told Reuters at the observatory, “I’d only seen on TV that North Korea had deployed 122‑mm artillery, but seeing the area in person makes me realise just how real the danger is.”

Military expert Yang Uk of Seoul’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies said, “I would view this more as a display of firepower than a meaningful increase in combat capability,” adding that the positioning suggests it was meant to be noticed.

Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Jang Do‑young told a briefing on Tuesday that while North Korea has mentioned new weapons systems, “we believe that this cannot be considered as such.”

Canadian tourist Hannah Robbins, 28, said her guide warned the group about the artillery, noting, “We’re a bit scared obviously… the tour guide was like ‘don’t worry, they won’t shoot’ but then it’s a bit of a worry.”

How it came about

The sighting follows a series of recent tensions along the Korean border, including a DMZ land‑mine blast on 21 September that injured three South Korean soldiers and a report that North Korea has placed nearly a million new mines along the DMZ since 2024. Felo’s earlier coverage of those incidents provides context for the heightened alert on both sides of the border.

Key facts

Three North Korean self‑propelled 122‑mm howitzers were photographed with barrels pointing toward the DMZ on 27 October. (independent.co.uk)
The howitzer system can fire up to 15 miles, reaching the South Korean town of Gimpo. (independent.co.uk)
Around 30 North Korean soldiers were seen working on fencing inside the DMZ. (independent.co.uk)
Jang Gil‑seong, an 83‑year‑old veteran, said the sighting made the danger feel real. (independent.co.uk)
Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Jang Do‑young said the deployment does not constitute a new weapons system. (independent.co.uk)