North Korea discovers wreckage of South Korean military drone and warns that further violations will be considered a declaration of war
North Korea has recently claimed to have found the wreckage of at least one South Korean military drone and has released photographs of the debris. This announcement comes amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. According to the North Korean authorities, the drone shares the same model showcased by South Korea during its national military day celebrations earlier this month.
In reports by Yonhap News Agency, North Korea has made several accusations against South Korea, alleging that drones were sent over Pyongyang to distribute anti-North Korean leaflets. However, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Dong-gun has stated that he cannot confirm these allegations.
A spokesperson from the North Korean Ministry of Defense released a statement indicating that on October 13, the city security bureau discovered the downed drone in the Mt. Songak region, specifically at the area known as West Poo Cave. Following an investigation, it was determined that the wreckage belongs to a small reconnaissance drone used by the South Korean military’s operational command, identical to the one displayed during the October 1 military day event.
The spokesman further noted that the drone was equipped with a leaflet dispersal mechanism, suggesting it may have been intended to drop leaflets in the center of Pyongyang, although this has yet to be fully confirmed.
The statement warned that if South Korea denies the drone’s involvement in the recent leaflet distribution incident, it would serve as evidence of South Korea’s military incursions into North Korean airspace and would be addressed sternly. Additionally, the North Korean officials cautioned that any further incursions would be regarded as serious military provocations or acts of war, leading to retaliatory actions from North Korea.