North Korea announced plans to station a new 155 mm self-propelled howitzer along its southern border by the end of this year, capable of striking targets more than 60 kilometres away — a range sufficient to put Seoul within reach. Leader Kim Jong-un visited a munitions factory to inspect production of the weapon, which is destined for three battalions at a front-line artillery unit. Separately, Kim oversaw sea trials of the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton destroyer set to be commissioned by mid-June, as Pyongyang (North Korea's capital and seat of government) continues a broad push to modernise both its land and naval forces.