After the suspension of the ‘September 19 Military Agreement’, artillery firing drills were conducted for the first time. This took place in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where the Army’s 1st Corps resumed shelling drills on the M-story target site that had been halted for the past seven years. This drill aimed to enhance response capabilities and firepower readiness in the event of enemy provocations.
Following the suspension of the agreement, an MOU was signed between South Korea and the U.S. on March 25, allowing the reuse of the Story target site. This led to the first firing drill under the new circumstances, focusing on strengthening readiness against threats.
In this drill, artillery units from the 1st Division and 1st Artillery Brigade operated a total of 18 self-propelled guns to fire approximately 60 shells. It began with radar detection of imaginary enemy provocations, followed by the command post issuing firing orders through the C4I system—an integrated command and control system that combines command, control, communication, computer, and intelligence elements to assist decision-making.
The drills showcased precise counter-fire on the Story target site, demonstrating the Army’s enhanced fire readiness. The artillery commanders expressed confidence in their ability to respond promptly to any provocations and pledged to maintain optimal fire readiness for any future orders.
This reinstatement of artillery drills provides opportunities to overcome limitations faced during practical training and enables operations based on real strategies, especially in regions of tension. The Army also implemented safety measures to minimize risks of incidents such as wildfires and ensured public safety through announcements and engagement with local community representatives before the drills.