North Korea accuses South Korea of ​​drone incursions, warns of ‘ruthless offensive’

North Korea has accused South Korea of ​​using drones over its territory for propaganda purposes. Pyongyang called it a violation of its sovereignty, the country’s state media KCNA reported on Monday (October 28).

The announcement followed an investigation by North Korea’s defense ministry, which alleged that South Korean drones had entered Pyongyang’s airspace at least three times this month, allegedly dropping anti-North Korean leaflets.

Photos released by KCNA show what is said to be a downed South Korean drone.

North Korean officials said an analysis of the drone’s flight logs revealed more than 230 flights since June 2023, including one plan labeled as dispersing “politically motivated garbage.”

The particular recording, dated October 8, allegedly shows a drone flying out of Pangyongdo, a South Korean border island, late at night and dropping leaflets over the foreign and defense ministries in Pyongyang.

A North Korean official warned the South of a “relentless offensive” if the alleged incursions were repeated, KCNA reported.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry has not officially responded to the allegations, but has previously called such allegations “not worthy of verification or response.”

The incident comes amid escalating tensions, with both countries reportedly using unconventional propaganda methods. Since May, North Korea has been sending balloons filled with garbage into South Korean territory, and the South has resumed loudspeaker broadcasts near the two countries’ border.

Meanwhile, international concern has increased after North Korea reportedly sent 3,000 troops to Russia for possible deployment to Ukraine. Pyongyang said last Friday that any such military support for Russia would be in accordance with international law.

(With participation of agencies)