By hannover-web.com On October 18, tensions escalated on the Korean Peninsula as North Korea claimed to have discovered the wreckage of at least one South Korean military drone. They released related photographs, stating that the drone’s model matched one showcased by South Korea during a military celebration earlier this month. North Korea alleged that this incident exemplifies South Korea’s “serious infringement of sovereignty,” warning that any further incursions would be regarded as acts of war.
According to a report from Yonhap News, North Korea has recently accused South Korea of deploying drones over Pyongyang to distribute anti-North Korea leaflets. However, South Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Dong-joo stated that he could not verify these accusations.
On October 19, the Korean Central News Agency highlighted that evidence from the drone’s battery and fuel residue suggests it had been used five to seven days prior. Based on the drone’s appearance, estimated flight time, and the presence of a leaflet dispersion tube, it was inferred that this drone was likely involved in a leaflet drop over downtown Pyongyang.
A North Korean defense spokesman stated that the wreckage was discovered on October 13 in a cave in the Mount Kumgang area. Following an investigation, it was determined that the drone belonged to the South Korean military’s reconnaissance operations, identical to one displayed during the October 1 military celebration.
The spokesman indicated that the drone had a leaflet dispersion mechanism, suggesting its intended purpose was to distribute leaflets over Pyongyang, although this remains unconfirmed.
In a stern warning, the statement asserted that if South Korea denies the drone’s involvement in recent leaflet distribution, it would serve as evidence of South Korea’s military incursions into North Korean airspace. They reiterated that any further violations would be treated as severe military provocations and acts of war, prompting North Korea to consider retaliatory actions.
In response, the South Korean military dismissed North Korea’s claims, stating that they found “no value in confirming or denying” the allegations.
