Tensions escalated on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea accused South Korea of flying drones into its airspace, a claim Seoul denied amid fading hopes for renewed dialogue.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula flared after North Korea accused
South Korea of flying drones across the heavily fortified border, an allegation Seoul swiftly rejected, as prospects for renewed dialogue between the rivals appeared to dim further.
North Korea’s military said its forces used special electronic warfare assets on Sunday to bring down a South Korean drone over a border town inside
North Korea. The drone was equipped with two cameras that filmed unspecified areas, according to a statement from the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army carried by state media.
The statement further alleged that South Korea infiltrated another drone into North Korean airspace on September 27, which later crashed after being struck electronically. Authorities claimed that drone also carried video data of major objects in North Korea.
“We strongly denounce the hooligans’ serial outrageous encroachment upon our sovereignty and undisguised provocative acts against us,” the statement said. “The ROK military warmongers will be surely forced to pay a dear price for their unpardonable hysteria.”
The ROK is the abbreviated form of the Republic of Korea, South Korea’s official name.
Seoul rejects claims, cites investigation
South Korea’s Defence Ministry said it did not operate drones during the times specified by North Korea and does not possess the types of drones described in the accusations.
Senior ministry official Kim Hong-Cheol said authorities would investigate whether civilians were responsible for flying the drones found in North Korea. He added that South Korea has no intention of provoking the North and will continue efforts to build trust between the two Koreas.
Diplomatic push faces resistance
Since taking office in June, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has sought to reopen talks with North Korea and mend ties. However, Pyongyang has consistently rebuffed his overtures.
Lee said on Wednesday that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to act as a mediator to ease animosities during their recent summit, and Xi urged patience.
North Korea has avoided talks with South Korea and the United States since leader Kim Jong Un’s nuclear diplomacy with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 over disagreements on US-led sanctions. Since then, Pyongyang has focused on strengthening its nuclear arsenal and declared a hostile “two-state” system on the peninsula to end relations with Seoul.
Drones a recurring source of friction
Drone activity has repeatedly fuelled tensions between the two Koreas, with each side accusing the other of airspace violations in recent years.
In October 2024, North Korea accused South Korea of flying drones over Pyongyang on three occasions to drop propaganda leaflets, a claim South Korea’s military said it could not confirm. Although tensions rose sharply at the time, neither side took major action, and the situation gradually eased.
South Korea has also accused North Korea of sending drones into its territory. In December 2022, Seoul said it fired warning shots, scrambled fighter jets and flew surveillance drones over North Korea after what it described as the North’s first drone crossings in five years.
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