A South Korean military drone that crashed last year was brought down by North Korean GPS jamming, according to an investigation by the country’s defense authorities.
The incident occurred on November 2, 2024, two days after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The South Korean Army had deployed an Israeli-made Heron unmanned reconnaissance aircraft to monitor signs of further provocations, but the drone unexpectedly crashed near Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.
At the time, South Korean military officials attributed the crash to mechanical failure, stating that an investigation was underway to determine the exact cause. However, a subsequent probe confirmed that the crash was caused by North Korea’s GPS signal interference, according to Channel A on February 6.
The Heron was flying at an altitude of 600 meters (1,968 feet), but due to GPS jamming, its navigation system falsely registered an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,843 feet). The drone initiated descent for landing based on this faulty data, ultimately colliding with the ground.
At the time of the crash, North Korea was transmitting GPS jamming signals from Kaepung, Hwanghaebuk-do, which is located approximately 56 kilometers (35 miles) from the crash site.
The South Korean military purchased three Heron drones from Israel for approximately $30 million in 2016, but with one now lost, only two remain in service. One of the remaining drones is currently undergoing maintenance abroad for key component repairs, leaving the military with just one operational unit.
With North Korea’s military activity concentrated around the northwestern islands and the Seoul metropolitan area, South Korea must prioritize reconnaissance in these regions, potentially creating surveillance blind spots in other areas.
Lawmakers have raised concerns that the loss of the Heron drone could weaken surveillance capabilities, particularly along the eastern front.
“We are concerned about a reconnaissance gap along the eastern front. If the remaining drone also malfunctions or crashes, it could significantly impact operational readiness,” said Rep. Kang Dae-sik, a ruling party member of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee.
Meanwhile, six days after the crash, North Korea’s state media mocked South Korea, referring to the incident as a “puppet drone crash.”
In response, the South Korean military reassured the public that the incident has not affected the country’s operational readiness.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
