North Korea has disclosed a test-firing of upgraded 240mm multiple rocket launcher shells, escalating its threats against the Seoul metropolitan area south of the Military Demarcation Line.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday, "In accordance with the plan to modernize artillery and missile forces to achieve the five-year defense development goals, the defense science research sector conducted a test-firing of upgraded 240mm guided multiple rocket launcher shells on September 22."

The news agency stated, "The upgraded 240mm guided multiple rocket launcher shells have adopted an autonomous precision guidance system and can strike targets up to 100 km away in ballistic flight and 115 km away using a composite gliding flight mode."

It further claimed, "The test verified the accuracy and superiority of the rocket shells."

It added, "Leading officials expressed the unanimous view that the development of extended-range guided multiple rocket launcher shells ensures a major shift in the firepower readiness posture along the southern border."

Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, said, "We must concentrate our most lethal and destructive offensive capabilities on the southern border," adding, "We must make the enemy realize as soon as possible that all of our military's long-range strike capabilities have been upgraded."

The news of the test-firing was not reported in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper or the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, media outlets accessible to the North Korean public.

Earlier in May, North Korea conducted a test launch of extended-range 240mm guided multiple rocket launcher shells supervised by leader Kim Jong-un.

The 240mm multiple rocket launcher is a signature long-range artillery piece that North Korea has repeatedly brought up when threatening to turn Seoul into a "sea of fire." It is deployed forward along the front line near the Military Demarcation Line for potential surprise, mass attacks against the Seoul metropolitan region.

While the older version has a range of about 60 km, the upgraded model recently unveiled by North Korea appears to feature guidance capabilities that enhance accuracy while nearly doubling its range.

The strike range of the 240mm multiple rocket launcher is estimated to have expanded beyond Seoul to encompass U.S. military bases in Osan and Pyeongtaek.

In line with Kim's instructions to "fortify the southern border," North Korea has been focusing on modernizing its front-line firepower systems and has announced plans to deploy additional new 240mm multiple rocket launchers.

(Photo: Yonhap News)