Seoul: Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo voiced concerns Tuesday over a potential probe into allegations that the South Korean military flew drones over Pyongyang last year, citing the need to maintain ambiguity in responding to North Korea's claim.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the JCS chairman made the remark as he dismissed suspicions raised by the opposition bloc that the military engaged in activities aimed at inducing North Korea's provocations ahead of President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law imposition last month.

The military has maintained its stance of neither confirming nor denying the alleged drone infiltration, which Pyongyang first made public in October, citing operational security. Adm. Kim Myung-soo emphasized the strategic importance of ambiguity, stating, "Saying that we cannot confirm is a strategy to pressure the counterpart, limit its options and cause confusion by keeping our secret."

During a special parliamentary committee session on President Yoon's martial law imposition, Kim further explained, "But one cannot win this game if someone else tells the other the cards in my hands or seeks to find them out through an investigation."

Adm. Kim also refuted allegations of military preparations for activities ahead of the martial law imposition, asserting that maintaining political neutrality is a key duty of the military. "The enemy provokes when they wish to, while resorting to deception and ambush. In response, we maintain our surveillance and readiness posture," he said.

Kim's remarks followed a statement from the defense ministry, which rejected claims that the suspension of an inter-Korean military tension reduction pact or the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts along the border were intended to provoke the North.