North Korea's Tactical Missile Deployment: A New Threat to South Korea?

North Korea plans to deploy 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers at the border with South Korea, potentially threatening Seoul and southern provinces. Experts doubt North Korea can supply enough missiles due to its military cooperation with Russia. Both North Korea and Russia deny allegations of arms trade.

North Korea has announced plans to deploy 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers on its border with South Korea, potentially targeting areas as far as Chungcheong Province, south of Seoul. The Yonhap news agency reported that these missiles have a range of 110 km (68 miles).

Earlier this month, North Korean state media revealed that leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the delivery of the launchers, describing them as modern tactical weapons personally designed by Kim. However, South Korean intelligence officials are skeptical about North Korea's capacity to supply enough missiles for all the launchers, especially given its ongoing military cooperation with Russia.

Accusations have been levied against North Korea and Russia by Seoul and Washington, alleging that the two countries are engaging in arms trade to aid Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied these allegations.

(With inputs from agencies.)