North Korea has claimed it discovered the remains of a South Korean military drone that allegedly crashed within its territory. In a statement released on Saturday, North Korean state media KCNA accused South Korea of violating its airspace, describing the incident as a provocation and warning that any further incursions would be considered a “declaration of war.” The drone, which North Korea claims was used for propaganda purposes, was found with a leaflet-scattering box attached to its fuselage, according to the report. The discovery follows weeks of escalating tensions between the two nations.
Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, responded to the incident with strong rhetoric, labeling South Korea as a “hostile state” and threatening retaliation. He was seen conferring with top military commanders and reviewing plans at a command post, with a map marked “Seoul” in the background. Kim also discussed deploying “offensive forces” to counter any further perceived violations of North Korean sovereignty, though specifics on the type of response were not provided.
South Korea has not confirmed any involvement in the drone incident. According to Reuters, South Korea’s Defense Ministry dismissed the North’s claims, stating they were not worth verifying and did not warrant a response. The ministry suggested that engaging with Pyongyang’s accusations would be falling into a strategic ploy. South Korean authorities have neither confirmed nor denied if the drone originated from their military or civilian sources.
The incident takes place amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. In recent weeks, North Korea has accused South Korea of flying drones over Pyongyang on three separate occasions and threatened a forceful response. These accusations are part of a broader context of escalating hostility that began in May, when North Korea launched balloons carrying trash across the border, prompting South Korea to restart loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts aimed at the North.
North Korea’s threats have grown increasingly severe, including warnings of nuclear retaliation against South Korea and the United States. The two allies have strengthened their military cooperation in recent months, including signing a deterrence guideline in July to integrate South Korean conventional capabilities with U.S. nuclear assets in response to North Korean threats.
Adding to the regional instability, South Korea and the United States began joint military exercises called Hoguk on Sunday, further fueling North Korea’s anger. During a Military Committee Meeting held on Friday, the top commanders of South Korea and the United States expressed concern over North Korea’s growing provocations and its enhanced military cooperation with Russia, which they stated undermines peace and security in the region.
