The request is directed towards the government of South Korea — not us. But this demonstrates that the South Korean military is increasingly worried that it will have to directly confront the North Koreans in the future. Or at least they want to show the North Koreans that they’d be plenty prepared for such a confrontation.

The request includes the acquisition of 70 GPS-guided missiles, 20 additional K9 howitzers, and upgrades for outdated radar systems.

Meanwhile, South Korea reportedly deployed additional troops, artillery and rocket launchers to Yeonpyeong, doubling the number of K9 howitzers on the island to 12.