Tensions flared on the Korean Peninsula this weekend as North Korea levelled a serious accusation against its southern neighbour. Pyongyang claimed that a South Korean spy drone violated its airspace earlier this month, a charge that Seoul has firmly denied, setting the stage for another diplomatic confrontation.
Pyongyang's Detailed Allegations
In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday, a North Korean military spokesperson presented a detailed account of the alleged incursion. The spokesperson stated that their forces tracked a drone moving northwards over Ganghwa County in early January. Ganghwa is a South Korean territory located northwest of Seoul and is one of the closest points to the North.
The drone was subsequently shot down near the North Korean border city of Kaesong. According to the North's account, analysis of the wreckage revealed that surveillance equipment was installed on the aircraft. The spokesperson asserted that the drone had stored footage of the North's "important targets," including sensitive border areas.
KCNA released photographs purporting to show the wreckage of a small, winged craft lying on the ground alongside components it identified as cameras. The agency also published aerial images of Kaesong, which it claimed were taken by the intruding drone, calling them "clear evidence" of a surveillance mission.
Seoul's Firm Denial and Swift Response
The South Korean government was quick to refute the allegations. A spokesperson stated that Seoul had no record of any such flight originating from its side. South Korea's Defence Minister, Ahn Gyu-back, scrutinised the released photos and declared that the drone depicted was "not a model operated by our military."
Despite the denial, the incident triggered a high-level response. The office of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced that a national security meeting would be convened on Saturday to discuss the matter. President Lee later ordered a "swift and rigorous investigation" by a joint military-police team.
Addressing the possibility that the drone could have been operated by a civilian, President Lee warned that "if true, it is a serious crime that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and national security."
Escalating Rhetoric and Historical Context
The North Korean military spokesperson used strongly worded language, warning that Seoul would be forced to "pay a dear price for their unpardonable hysteria" if such flights continued. They drew a parallel to a similar incident in September, when South Korea was accused of flying drones near the border city of Paju.
This new accusation adds another layer of complexity to an already tense inter-Korean relationship. Seoul is already investigating alleged drone flights over the North ordered in late 2024 by the previous administration under then-President Yoon Suk Yeol. Prosecutors have indicted Yoon, alleging he acted illegally in ordering the flights to provoke Pyongyang and create a pretext for martial law. The South Korean military has not confirmed those earlier flights.
Experts Question the Narrative
Interestingly, analysis of the drone model shown by KCNA has raised questions among experts. Flight-path data indicated the drone was flying in square patterns over Kaesong before being shot down. However, security analysts suggest the craft appears to be a cheap, commercially available model, unlikely to be used by the advanced South Korean military.
Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, pointed out the discrepancy. "The South Korean military already has drones capable of transmitting high-resolution live feeds," he said. "Using an outdated drone that requires physical retrieval of a memory card, simply to film factory rooftops clearly visible on satellite imagery, does not hold up from a military planning perspective."
This expert opinion casts doubt on the origin and purpose of the drone, leaving the incident shrouded in mystery as both sides stick to their conflicting narratives, further chilling relations on the divided peninsula.
