Korea Claims to Shoot Down South Korean Drone

North Korea accused South Korea of flying a drone into its airspace on January 4, which was equipped with a surveillance camera that filmed "important" facilities in North Korea. South Korea denied the claim, stating that there is no record of such a drone flight.

On Saturday, January 10, North Korea accused South Korea of flying a drone into its airspace on January 4, violating North Korea's sovereignty.

What did Pyongyang say?

According to the North Korean official news agency KCNA, citing a statement from a North Korean People's Army spokesperson, the North Korean military tracked the drone moving "northward" over Ganghwa County in South Korea. Ganghwa County is one of the areas closest to North Korea.

The spokesperson said that after flying 8 kilometers, the drone was shot down within North Korea's airspace near Kaesong.

Pyongyang claimed that the drone was equipped with a surveillance camera and filmed "important" facilities in North Korea.

KCNA also released photos of the downed drone and footage allegedly captured by it.

What was South Korea's response?

South Korea denied North Korea's claims, stating that there is no record of such a drone flight.

South Korean Defense Minister An Kwi-bong stated in a statement that the drone mentioned by Pyongyang "is not a model operated by our military."

Since President Lee Jae-yong took office in June last year, South Korea has expressed a willingness to re-engage with North Korea. Seoul stated that he has ordered a thorough investigation.

Another "drone intrusion" incident

According to North Korean military sources, in September last year, North Korea also shot down another South Korean drone over Kaesong.

South Korea is currently investigating incidents of drones allegedly flying over North Korean airspace.

In October 2024, North Korea claimed to have found at least one piece of wreckage of a South Korean military drone in the capital Pyongyang and released photos of it. Some analysts confirmed that the drone came from South Korea.

The South Korean prosecution has filed charges against former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached and removed from office. According to reports, the prosecution found evidence indicating that the former president had ordered the deployment of military drones to Pyongyang. Analysts say this move was likely intended to provoke North Korea into taking action, providing an excuse for Yoon Suk-yeol to declare a state of emergency and impose martial law afterward.

Currently, Yoon Suk-yeol is in custody. He denies the charges.

Sources: DW, AFP, DPA, Reuters

Original: toutiao.com/article/1854003795820560/

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