tongits kingdom South Korea military says ‘fully ready’ as drone tensions soar
This picture taken on August 24, 2024 and released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 26 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (front C) inspecting a performance test of drones organised by the Drone Institute of the Academy of Defence Sciences at an undisclosed location in North Korea. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
SEOUL — South Korea’s military said Monday it was “fully ready” to respond after North Korea ordered troops on the border to prepare to fire in an escalating dispute over drone flights to Pyongyang.
The nuclear-armed North has accused Seoul of flying drones over its capital to drop propaganda leaflets filled with “inflammatory rumours and rubbish”, and warned Sunday that if another drone was detected it would consider it “a declaration of war”.
Article continues after this advertisementSeoul’s military has previously denied it was behind the flights, with local speculation centering on activist groups in the South, which have long sent propaganda and US currency northwards, typically by balloon.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Putin hosts summit to show West it can't keep Russia off global stage GLOBALNATION China says it reached 'resolution' with India on contested border issues GLOBALNATION Eyes on the prize: One man rides high to reach his goalREAD: North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong warns of ‘horrible’ response to drones
But the North insists Seoul is officially to blame, announcing late Sunday it had told eight artillery brigades already on war footing “to get fully ready to open fire”, and reinforced air observation posts in Pyongyang.
Article continues after this advertisement“Our military is closely monitoring the situation and standing fully ready for the North’s provocations,” Lee Seong-joon, a spokesman for the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), told a press briefing.
Article continues after this advertisementPyongyang claims propaganda drones have infiltrated the capital’s airspace three times in recent days, with leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister threatening a “horrible disaster” unless they stop.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Kim Jong Un unveils new North Korea ‘suicide drones’
In a statement early Monday, Kim Yo Jong said the drone flights were “an unpardonable, malicious challenge to our state”.
Article continues after this advertisementShe has issued three similar back-to-back statements, calling on South Korea’s military to come up with measures to prevent a recurrence of alleged violations of North Korean airspace.
The JCS on Monday neither confirmed nor denied that Seoul’s military was responsible for sending drones across the border, instead calling the North’s claim “shameless”.
“The North can’t even confirm the origin of a drone in the Pyongyang sky but is placing blame on the South — all the while keeping a shut mouth on its sending of a drone southward on ten occasions,” spokesman Lee said.
“It is nothing but a shameless claim.”
Seoul’s unification ministry said the drone claims may be an effort by the North to bolster internal solidarity.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Koo Byoung-samtongits kingdom, spokesperson at the ministry, told a press briefing that the north could also be looking for an excuse “to stage provocations or create anxiety and confusion in our society”.
READ NEXT Over 200 police deployed for Asia-Pacific disaster mitigation ... South Korean fugitive wanted for drug crimes nabbed, to be dep... EDITORS' PICK UPDATES: 2025 elections precampaign stories Party-list system: What to know ahead of 2025 polls Sandro Marcos calls out VP Sara Duterte: ‘You crossed the line’ DILG identifies 38 hotspots ahead of 2025 polls SC issues TRO vs Comelec resolution on dismissed public officials Kristine gets nearer; Metro Manila, 42 other areas under Signal No. 1 MOST READ SC issues TRO vs Comelec resolution on dismissed public officials Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine Espenido retracts drug-related allegations vs De Lima View comments