North Korea has threatened a “terrible response” if another drone incursion from the South occurs, following Seoul’s announcement of an investigation into a cross-border incident last month.
South Korean investigators raided offices of the country’s spy agency on Tuesday as they worked to determine responsibility for the January event, in which Pyongyang claims it shot down a surveillance drone near its industrial hub of Kaesong.
Kim Yo Jong delivers stern message
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, issued the warning in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
She gave an advance notice that any repeat of such a provocation, which she described as violating the inalienable sovereignty of the DPRK, would trigger a severe reaction.
While acknowledging that Seoul had taken certain “sensible” steps after the January incident, Kim stressed that breaching North Korean sovereignty remained unacceptable under any circumstances.
“We don’t care who the very manipulator of the drone infiltration into the airspace of the DPRK is and whether it is an individual or a civilian organization,” she said.
Seoul investigates own agencies
The incident has heightened tensions and risked undermining Seoul’s efforts to improve relations with Pyongyang.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to halt drones crossing the border, a practice that occurred under his predecessor.
Although South Korea initially denied official involvement, a joint military-police task force recently announced it was investigating three active-duty soldiers and one staff member from the spy agency to establish the full facts.
On Tuesday, investigators raided 18 locations, including the Defense Intelligence Command and the National Intelligence Service.
Pyongyang vows zero tolerance
In her statement, Kim warned Seoul that such incidents would not be tolerated moving forward.
“I warn the ROK authorities to pay heed to prevention so that such a foolish deed would never recur again inside their country,” she said.
The North Korean military claimed the downed drone was equipped with surveillance gear and had recorded footage of important targets.
Photos released showed wreckage of a winged craft scattered on the ground alongside grey and blue components.
South Korea’s unification minister Chung Dong-young previously suggested the incursion may have involved officials still loyal to disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was accused of authorising propaganda leaflet drops by drone in 2024.
Three civilians have already been charged over their alleged involvement in the drone affair.
