North Korea has accused South Korea of "unpardonable hysteria" and operating drones across their shared border, warning of severe consequences. South Korea categorically denies these accusations, while also investigating three of its own civilians suspected of similar drone flights.
North Korea's Accusations and Stern Warnings
According to a statement from the General Staff of the North Korean People’s Army, carried by state media, North Korean forces reportedly used special electronic warfare assets on Sunday to bring down a South Korean drone. This drone was allegedly flying over a North Korean border town and equipped with two cameras that filmed unspecified areas. The statement further claimed another drone infiltrated North Korean airspace on September 27, being forced to crash after electronic strikes, and reportedly contained video data on "major objects."
Pyongyang denounced these acts as "outrageous encroachment upon our sovereignty" and "undisguised provocative acts." They issued a stark warning that South Korean military personnel "will be surely forced to pay a dear price."
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued a potent warning on Friday. While she described South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's expression of regret regarding alleged civilian drone flights as "sensible," she cautioned of potential counterattacks if such incidents reoccur. Kim Yo Jong deemed Minister Chung's comments insufficient as a governmental response and demanded stronger measures from Seoul to prevent future activities.
"Any reoccurrence violating the inalienable sovereignty of the DPRK would surely provoke a terrible response... various counterattack plans are on the table and one of them will be chosen without doubt and it will go beyond proportionality."
South Korea's Denial and Domestic Investigation
South Korea's Defense Ministry explicitly stated it did not operate drones on the dates cited by North Korea. President Lee Jae Myung has reportedly ordered a thorough investigation into North Korea's claims.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young had previously expressed "deep regret" over the alleged flights. He reiterated Seoul's commitment to "mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence" and the government's principles of tension reduction. The Unification Ministry affirmed plans to implement unspecified steps to prevent similar incidents.
Separately, law enforcement authorities in South Korea are currently investigating three civilians suspected of flying drones into North Korean territory from border regions.
Escalating Tensions and Historical Context
Drone flights have consistently been a source of contention between North and South Korea, with both sides frequently accusing the other of border incursions.
Past incidents include:
- October 2024: North Korea accused South Korea of flying drones over its capital, Pyongyang, to drop propaganda leaflets, a claim not confirmed by South Korea's military.
- December 2022: South Korea reported responding to alleged North Korean drone flights with warning shots, fighter jet scrambles, and surveillance drone flights. South Korea described these as the first such incidents in five years.
Public discussions between the two Koreas have been absent since 2019, following the breakdown of nuclear diplomacy between leader Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Since then, North Korea has intensely pursued nuclear weapons development and declared a hostile "two-state" system on the Korean Peninsula, signaling an intent to terminate relations with South Korea.
Despite this, President Lee Jae Myung's administration, which took office in June, has sought to reopen talks and reconcile. However, these overtures have been repeatedly rejected by Pyongyang. President Lee reportedly sought Chinese President Xi Jinping's mediation during a recent summit, with President Xi advocating for patience.
Analysts suggest North Korea's current drone accusations might be a strategic move to intensify anti-South Korea sentiment.
This move could be timed ahead of the ruling Workers' Party congress in late February – the first in five years – where leader Kim Jong Un's declaration of a hostile "two-state" system might be formally integrated into the party constitution.