North Korea Issues Final Warning to South Korea Over Drone Provocations
In a significant escalation of tensions, North Korea has accused South Korea of sending drones into its airspace to drop propaganda leaflets, a claim that Seoul has categorically denied. The North's foreign ministry stated that these incursions occurred on October 3 and again in the days leading up to the warning, branding them as serious violations of sovereignty that could be interpreted as military attacks.
North Korea's official news agency reported that the regime has issued a 'final warning' to the South, labeling the actions as intolerable provocations. The ministry emphasized that such activities justify North Korea's right to self-defense, warning that South Korea is hastening its own downfall through these actions. The North has also claimed that all its offensive forces are prepared to respond at any moment.
In response, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun firmly denied the allegations, stating during a parliamentary session that no military drones had been sent into North Korean airspace. A representative from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff echoed this, indicating that they were investigating whether the drones might have been launched by civilian groups instead.
This exchange of accusations comes amid a backdrop of deteriorating relations between the two Koreas. Just days prior, North Korea threatened to permanently close its border with the South. This situation is further complicated by the ongoing practice of South Korean activists launching balloons with propaganda and currency into North Korea, which has infuriated Pyongyang. In retaliation, North Korea has reportedly sent over 6,000 'garbage balloons' into South Korea since May, with a new batch launched recently.
The current state of affairs marks one of the lowest points in inter-Korean relations in years, particularly following Kim Jong Un's declaration of South Korea as the North's 'main enemy' earlier this year.
