South Korea Conducts Live-Fire Artillery Exercises at Paju Range for the First Time in Seven Years
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Synopsis
South Korean artillery units have resumed live-fire drills at the Paju firing range, targeting a US site for the first time in seven years, following the suspension of a 2018 inter-Korean deal. This resumption aims to enhance South Korea's military response to North Korean threats.
Key Takeaways
- First live-fire drills in seven years.
- Located near the Imjin River.
- 12 K9A1 howitzers and six K55A1s were used.
- Drills resumed after a halted 2018 agreement.
- Enhanced military readiness against North Korea.
Seoul, April 22 (NationPress) South Korean artillery units have conducted live-fire drills near the inter-Korean border this week, targeting locations inside a US firing range for the first time in seven years, as reported by the Army on Tuesday.
The exercises were held on Monday around the Imjin River in Paju, located approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Seoul. The operation involved 12 K9A1 self-propelled howitzers and six K55A1s, which launched around 60 shells at targets within the Story Live Fire Complex, according to Yonhap news agency.
This event signifies the first time that South Korean forces have executed such drills at this range since Seoul fully halted a 2018 inter-Korean tension reduction agreement last June due to North Korea's mass launches of balloons carrying waste across the border.
Under the terms of the agreement, both Koreas were prohibited from conducting artillery drills and significant military exercises near the border. Last month, South Korea and the United States formalized a memorandum of understanding that allows South Korean forces to resume utilizing the training range.
Previously, the Army had restarted artillery drills at two other firing ranges adjacent to the border following Seoul's suspension of the 2018 agreement.
An Army official stated, "With the resumption of (artillery drills) against targets at Story, they have all been normalized."
The Army anticipates that the revival of live-fire artillery drills at this training range will bolster its firepower operations and long-range firing capabilities, enabling a swift response to potential North Korean artillery strikes.
