North Korea has demanded a detailed explanation from South Korea over an alleged drone intrusion into its territory. According to North Korean state media cited by AFP, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said a drone launched from South Korea’s Ganghwa County entered the North’s Kaesong city earlier in January. Pyongyang claimed it shot down the drone and released photos of the wreckage.
Seoul has rejected the allegation, with its Defense Ministry stating that the drone described by North Korea does not match any model used by its military. The South Korean military said its investigation found no record of operating any unmanned aircraft at the time in question. President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a joint military and police probe to ensure a swift and impartial investigation, warning that if a civilian was responsible, it would be a serious crime threatening peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.
The dispute comes as former president Yoon Suk Yeol faces trial over allegations of ordering illegal drone operations to provoke Pyongyang and justify emergency military measures.