The North Korean Workers’ Party media reported on May 31 that Kim Jong Un directed the firing of a 600mm super-large artillery gun within striking range of South Korea.
The media reported, “Kim Jong Un personally commanded and directed the show of force firing on-site.” It also revealed, “The show of force firing was carried out to demonstrate the country’s will to respond by invoking the right of self-defense whenever enemies consider using military force against the Republic. This is to ensure the sovereignty and safety of the country with strong and overwhelming war means, targeting the rogue regime and puppet military of South Korea.”
According to the released photos, 18 super-large artillery shots were fired from a mobile launcher (TEL). The media stated that “the artillerymen accurately hit the island target at a distance of 227 miles and excellently performed the assigned show of force firing task.”
South Korea’s army, navy, and air force headquarters are located in Gyeryongdae and Gunsan, about 217 miles south of where North Korea fired the missile. It is also said that this simultaneous firing was conducted by activating the Integrated Firepower Command System, which is a system of the national nuclear weapons management system.
Kim emphasized that “activating military retaliation to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the duty and mission of our republic’s armed forces approved by our constitution” and added, “under the circumstances where the political and military movements of enemies trying to invade our sovereignty are being carried out aggressively, the show of force firing today will serve as an opportunity to clearly show our enemies what they will face if they mess with us.”
Kim praised the attack means for maintaining and preparing a quick and thorough counterattack posture and emphasized that “our nuclear power should be thoroughly prepared to perform the significant mission of war deterrence and war control at any time, even under unjust circumstances.”
Around 6:15 AM on May 30, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea fired more than 10,600mm super-large artillery (KN-25) using a mobile launcher (TEL) from the Sunan area into the East Sea. North Korea’s super-large artillery is classified as a ballistic missile with guidance capabilities.