North Korea vows response as it accuses South of flying drones across border
North Korea’s military accused South Korea of flying drones across the border between the nations this week, warning Saturday that South Korea will face consequences for its “unpardonable hysteria.” South Korea quickly denied the accusation. But the development is likely to further dim prospects for efforts by South Korea’s liberal Government to restore ties with North Korea.
North Korean forces used special electronic warfare assets on Sunday to bring down a South Korean drone flying over North Korea’s border town. The drone was equipped with two cameras that filmed unspecified areas, the General Staff of the North’s Korean People’s Army said in a statement carried by state media.
South Korea infiltrated another drone into North Korean airspace on September 27 before it was forced to crash following electronic strikes by North Korea, the statement said, adding that authorities found the drone also contained video data on major objects in North Korea.”We strongly denounce the hooligans’ serial outrageous encroachment upon our sovereignty and undisguised provocative acts against us,” the North Korean statement said. “The ROK military warmongers will be surely forced to pay a dear price for their unpardonable hysteria.”
The ROK is the abbreviated form of the Republic of Korea, South Korea’s official name. South Korea’s Defence Ministry said it did not operate drones during the times specified by North Korea and doesn’t even posses the types of drones that North Korea claimed were used. Senior ministry official Kim Hong-Cheol said in a statement that authorities will investigate whether civilians flew the drones found in North Korea.
He said South Korea has no intentions of provoking North Korea and will continue its efforts to build trust between the Koreas. Since taking office in June, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pushed hard to reopen talks with North Korea and reconcile the rivals. But North Korea has steadfastly rebuffed Lee’s overtures.
Lee said Wednesday he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to serve as a mediator to ease animosities between the two Koreas during their recent summit, and Xi called for patience. North Korea has shunned talks with South Korea and the United States since leader Kim Jong Un’s high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with US President Donald Trump fell apart in 2019 due to wrangling over US-led sanctions. North Korea's Kaepoong village is seen from Ganghwa, South Korea.
