Military Deploys KTSSM-I Operation to Destroy North Korean Long-Range Artillery

"Ure," the North Korean Long-Range Artillery Killer, Deployed for the First Time
Military Announces Operational Deployment of KTSSM-Ⅰ
Developed to Destroy North Korea's Underground Artillery Positions
Advanced KTSSM-Ⅱ with Extended Range Also in Development
North Korea Criticizes South Korea-US-Japan Joint Statement as a "Failed Dream"
Vows to Maintain Nuclear Force Strengthening Path

The missile 'Ure,' known as the North Korean long-range artillery killer, has been deployed operationally for the first time.

The military announced on the 18th that it has operationally deployed the Korean Tactical Surface to Surface Missile-Ⅰ (KTSSM-Ⅰ), a tactical surface-to-surface guided weapon capable of simultaneously and precisely striking North Korea's long-range firepower threatening the Seoul metropolitan area in a short time during emergencies. KTSSM-Ⅰ was given the name Ure, a pure Korean word meaning thunder.

KTSSM-Ⅰ is a short-range ballistic missile developed to destroy North Korea's long-range artillery positions built in underground tunnels, following the 2010 Yeonpyeong Island shelling provocation. Using a thermobaric warhead, it can penetrate and destroy North Korea's long-range artillery tunnel positions, with a range of up to 180 km. It is also called the 'Korean-style bunker buster (penetrating bomb).'

The military is currently developing KTSSM-Ⅱ, an advanced version of KTSSM-Ⅰ. KTSSM-Ⅱ has a range of about 300 km and is operated from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle of a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), enhancing its functionality and concealment. The military stated, "Under the firm ROK-US combined defense posture, our military closely monitors North Korea's various military activities and will maintain the capability and readiness to overwhelmingly respond to any provocations from North Korea."

Meanwhile, on the same day, North Korea issued a statement through a Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemning the joint statement of the South Korea-US-Japan foreign ministers' meeting, which specified 'complete denuclearization,' calling it a "failed dream of the past" and declaring that it will "consistently adhere to the path of strengthening nuclear forces." However, it added remarks implying North Korea-US negotiations, stating, "The more the United States clings to ineffective pressure measures, the more advantageous position it will gain in the North Korea-US confrontation."