North Korea’s Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday, October 19, that it has found debris from at least one drone originating from South Korea.
Origin Scientifically Proved
This comes after Pyongyang previously accused Seoul of sending multiple drones to distribute propaganda materials. North Korea has warned that any future incidents of this nature will be considered acts of war.
On October 11, Pyongyang accused South Korea of deploying drones carrying propaganda leaflets over the North Korean capital.
While these accusations were denied by South Korean officials, a spokesperson for North Korea’s Ministry of Defense stated that security forces discovered the remains of a drone in Pyongyang, according to Ziare
The North Korean investigation allegedly “scientifically proved that the drone originated from the Republic of Korea,” referring to South Korea by its official name.
A Declaration of War
The spokesperson also claimed that a similar drone had been displayed in Seoul during last year’s Armed Forces Day military parade. While earlier statements were more certain, North Korean officials now say it is "quite likely" that this drone was responsible for dispersing leaflets in central Pyongyang.
An expert from the Korean Institute for National Unification, contacted by AFP, supported North Korea’s claims. "The photos clearly show a small, long-range reconnaissance drone used by the South Korean military," said analyst Hong Min.
South Korea’s military has denied any involvement in the incident and has refrained from further comments. Local speculation points to activist groups in South Korea that are known to send propaganda materials and U.S. dollars to the North, often using balloons.
North Korea has issued a stern warning, stating that any future incidents of this nature will be treated as a “declaration of war.”
Tensions involving drones are not new. In 2022, North Korea sent several drones into South Korean airspace, with five successfully crossing the border. In response, South Korea’s military fired warning shots and scrambled fighter jets, though they were unable to shoot down any of the drones.
