North Korea threatens a “terrible response” if South Korean drones violate its airspace again, following a probe into a January incursion near Kaesong.
SEOUL: North Korea has issued a stark warning of a “terrible response” should another drone incursion from South Korea occur.
The threat from Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, follows a South Korean investigation into a January incident where Pyongyang claims it shot down a surveillance drone.
“I give advance warning that reoccurrence of such provocation as violating the inalienable sovereignty of the DPRK will surely provoke a terrible response,” Kim said in a statement carried by state media.
She stated the violation of North Korea’s sovereignty was unacceptable regardless of the circumstances.
South Korean investigators raided the offices of the National Intelligence Service this week as part of their probe.
A joint task force is investigating three active-duty soldiers and one spy agency staffer to establish the truth about the January event.
The incident has heightened tensions and complicated Seoul’s efforts to improve relations with its nuclear-armed neighbour.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has vowed to stop cross-border drone flights that occurred under his predecessor.
North Korea’s military alleged the downed drone was carrying surveillance equipment with footage of important targets.
Photos released by Pyongyang showed the wreckage of a winged craft scattered on the ground.
Kim Yo Jong directly warned South Korean authorities to prevent such “foolish” deeds from recurring inside their country.
Three civilians have already been charged over their alleged role in the drone scandal.
South Korea’s ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol was previously accused of using drones to scatter propaganda leaflets over the North in 2024.
