Graphic shows locations of HARTS, range of North Korean artillery, U.S, military bases and Koksan M-1989, 170mm self propelled gun.
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MILITARY

Pyongyang’s threat to South Korea

By Duncan Mil

September 8, 2017 - North Korea has an estimated 13,000 Hardened Artillery Sites (HARTS) in concrete bunkers, caves, and tunnels, including 4,000 near the DMZ (demilitarized zone) and 200-300 within range of Seoul.

The North Koreans have built a coast-to-coast system to protect their military hardware. Airfields with aircraft parked under mountains and submarine and missile boat bases in tunnels hewn out of rock all reduce their vulnerability to air strikes and artillery fire from South Korean and U.S. forces.

If Pyongyang launched a conventional artillery and missile barrage on the South, experts say long range weapons such as Koksan 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm rocket launchers could reach Seoul.

To counter this threat, South Korea has nearly 19,000 bomb shelters throughout the country. In Seoul, the capital of 10.3 million people, there are more than 3,200 underground shelters.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 08/09/2017; STORY: Graphic News
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