Post by : Saif Rahman

North Korean artillery positioned with its gun barrels pointing toward South Korea has raised concern among visitors and security observers at a border observatory. The weapons have become a visible sign of growing tensions between the two countries, which continue to exchange accusations over a disputed border incident.

The artillery was spotted near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the heavily guarded area separating North and South Korea. Visitors watching the North Korean side from South Korea said the military presence made the risk of further confrontation feel more immediate.

North Korean Weapons Spotted Near the Border

Armoured artillery vehicles were observed near the frontier, with their gun barrels directed toward the South Korean side. Military analysts identified the weapons as M-1981 self-propelled howitzers, an older artillery system used by North Korea.

The vehicles were positioned where people at the observatory could see them clearly. According to military expert Yang Uk of Seoul's Asan Institute for Policy Studies, the deployment appeared more like a display of military strength than a major improvement in North Korea's combat capabilities.

He suggested that the visible positioning of the weapons could be intended to attract attention and send a message to South Korea.

Border Tensions Grow After Mine Blast

Relations between North and South Korea have become more strained following a mine explosion near the border that injured South Korean soldiers. Seoul has called on Pyongyang to apologise, while North Korea has rejected South Korea's account of the incident and accused it of making false claims.

The dispute has added to concerns about security along the DMZ, where both sides maintain strong military positions. Although the border is regularly visited by tourists, periodic confrontations and hostile statements continue to highlight the risks in the area.

North Korea has also signalled plans to prepare loudspeakers capable of broadcasting anti-South Korean propaganda along the border. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, previously warned that the equipment would be placed on standby and that additional countermeasures were being prepared.

Tourists Express Concern Over Military Activity

Visitors at the Aegibong Observatory in Gimpo, South Korea, said seeing the artillery in person was more worrying than learning about it through television reports.

An elderly South Korean war veteran expressed concern about the country's need to prepare for possible threats. Other visitors said they felt uneasy after learning about the weapons from their tour guide.

The observatory offers views of North Korean territory, making it a popular destination for local and international tourists despite the continuing military tensions.

Older Artillery System Still Within Range of South Korea

Military analysts said the M-1981 howitzers are an older North Korean weapons system believed to have entered service decades ago. Despite their age, their estimated firing range places parts of South Korea, including the Gimpo area, within reach.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff also described the artillery as an older system rather than a newly introduced weapon. Its spokesperson said the deployment should not be treated as evidence of a new weapons capability.

The assessment suggests that the main significance of the deployment may lie in its visibility and timing rather than a major change in North Korea's military strength.

Read more: South Korean Prosecutors Contest Sentence in Yoon Suk Yeol Case

Security Concerns Continue Along the DMZ

The latest artillery sighting adds to an already difficult security situation between the two Koreas. Military warnings, propaganda-related measures and disagreements over the border incident have increased uncertainty about how relations may develop.

Although the weapons' presence does not necessarily indicate an imminent attack, their positioning has drawn attention to the continuing military standoff. Both countries remain technically at war because the Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty.

#world news #Global News