On October 11, North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a “crucial statement” accusing South Korea of carrying out a “military provocation” by infiltrating drones into Pyongyang and scattering anti-North Korean leaflets.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in South Korea responded, stating, “We cannot confirm the veracity of North Korea’s claims. However, we warn that North Korea bears full responsibility for the recent events due to their despicable provocations involving trash balloons.” There are growing concerns that North Korea could retaliate militarily, potentially by sending drones into South Korean territory.
The North Korean statement, released at 8:25 p.m. through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), was titled “The Trigger for Defending Sovereignty and Security Will Be Pulled Without Hesitation.” The ministry condemned South Korea’s “dangerous provocations,” claiming Seoul crossed a critical line by sending drones over Pyongyang on October 3, 9, and 10 to drop political propaganda leaflets. North Korea also released a photo purportedly showing a drone captured in the act on October 9.
In its statement, North Korea described the leaflet-dropping incident as a “grave political and military provocation” that could not be tolerated or forgiven, warning that South Korea “must pay a dear price.”
The statement added, “smear leaflets, run through with inflammatory rumors and rubbish tarnishing the national sovereignty and dignity of the DPRK and malignantly hurting its socialist system, were scattered in the central part of the capital city.”
The ministry declared that they were preparing for “retaliatory actions” in response to what they called an airspace invasion, asserting their right to self-defense.
It added, “All the offensive means of the DPRK, will get ready to carry out their activities promptly at any moment.”
The statement concluded with a warning to South Korea, urging them to halt “irresponsible and dangerous provocation that may cause an armed conflict and lead to a war.” North Korea added that the “trigger safety device is now off.”
As tensions rise, North Korea also resumed sending “trash balloons” across the border, launching 40 such balloons in the early hours of October 11. This marks the 28th instance of such launches since May.
The South Korean military has yet to confirm whether any of its drones were involved in the alleged incidents. The JCS stated that “all responsibility for recent provocations, including the disgraceful acts involving trash balloons, lies with North Korea.” While the military dismissed North Korea’s claims, experts speculate that the situation could lead to heightened tensions and further military provocations from the North.
Meanwhile, a military expert said, “Judging from the photos released by North Korea, it appears to be a propeller drone. There is a possibility that it was launched from a fishing vessel or another location in international waters, avoiding South Korea’s air defense network, and sent back to North Korea.”
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
