Seoul: The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed her "high appreciation" for South Korea's commitment to preventing future drone incursions into North Korea, while vowing to increase vigilance along the border between the two nations. Kim Yo-jong, who serves as a party vice department director, delivered this statement through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), following remarks by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young regarding the issue.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong's statement came a day after Chung Dong-young publicly acknowledged the incursions made by South Korean drones into North Korean airspace and announced a series of measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. She commended Chung for his official acknowledgment of the "ROK-born drone's provocative intrusion" and his willingness to prevent further occurrences. The Republic of Korea (ROK) is the official name for South Korea.
During a recent press conference, Chung revealed that an investigation had confirmed South Korean individuals sent drones into North Korea on four occasions between last September and February, with two incidents verified by the North. He indicated that Seoul would consider reinstating the suspended 2018 military pact with North Korea, which aims to reduce hostilities along the inter-Korean border, including establishing a no-fly zone, as part of their strategy to prevent future drone incursions.
In January, North Korea accused South Korea of sending drones equipped with surveillance technology last September and on January 4, leading the South Korean government to initiate an official investigation. Kim Yo-jong warned South Korea of "terrible consequences" if such "violations of sovereignty" occur again, asserting that this was not a threat but a "strong warning." She emphasized that preventing repeated violations of North Korea's sovereignty is crucial for the "ROK's existence."
Kim also stressed the importance of guarding the border with the "enemy" and announced that North Korea's military leadership would enhance vigilance along the southern border with South Korea. At a year-end party meeting in December 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un described inter-Korean relations as those between "two states hostile to each other," leading to the pursuit of hostile policies toward Seoul.
An official from the South Korean unification ministry noted North Korea's "prompt" response to Chung's statement and reiterated Seoul's commitment to implementing the prevention measures announced earlier.