Seoul: North Korea claimed Saturday that South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September last year and earlier this week, stating that Seoul should be ready to "pay a high price" for what it described as a provocation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's defense ministry rejected Pyongyang's claim, asserting that the South's military did not operate drones on the dates alleged by the North. A spokesperson of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army issued a statement denouncing South Korea as "the most hostile" enemy, accusing Seoul of continuing provocative acts while contradicting its overtures for dialogue with Pyongyang.
North Korea's military reported capturing and tracking an air target moving northward from the sky over South Korea's Ganghwa County, Incheon on January 4, and striking the drone with special electronic warfare assets, forcing it to fall in Muksan-ri near the North's border city of Kaesong. Additionally, on September 27, a drone from South Korea's border city of Paju was allegedly struck down by the North after infiltrating the sky above Phyongsan County, North Hwanghae Province.
The spokesperson claimed the recently crashed drone was equipped with surveillance devices, set to record significant North Korean objects, covering a distance of 156 kilometers over three hours. North Korea released images of debris, recording devices, and footage presumed to be captured by the drones, likening South Korea to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.
Pyongyang blamed the South Korean military for the drone infiltrations, stating that drones passed freely over areas with South Korean radar systems and anti-drone equipment. The spokesperson reiterated that South Korea is an unchangeable hostile entity and warned of consequences for its actions.
South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back dismissed North Korea's claims as "absolutely not true," noting the drones shown by the North are not models used by South Korea's military. The defense ministry said President Lee Jae Myung ordered an investigation into the matter.
While experts assessed the drones as not military-grade, North Korea has previously accused South Korean drones of carrying propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang, threatening to respond to such actions. The South Korean military is suspected of previous drone operations under former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration.
North Korea's claims emerge as its leader Kim Jong-un declared inter-Korean relations as those between "two states hostile to each other." Since taking office, President Lee's administration has sought to improve ties and resume dialogue with North Korea.
Experts suggest North Korea is solidifying its firm stance toward Seoul ahead of an upcoming party congress expected to outline a five-year policy. Hong Min, a senior researcher, indicated that North Korea might codify its "two hostile states" stance in its constitution in the upcoming parliamentary session.