North Korea Threatens ‘Terrible Calamity’ Over Alleged South Korean Drone Flights
SEOUL – Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, on Saturday issued a warning to South Korea over an apparent failure to stop defectors from sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea. In a statement carried by state media, she warned Seoul of “a dreadful disaster” if such incidents happen again. The development has only increased already high tension between the two Koreas.
DPRK says Intruded by S.Korean Drones
In a statement Friday, North Korea’s foreign ministry claimed South Korean drones were flying over Pyongyang nightly as of October 3 and continuing throughout the week. North Korea said the drones were carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets, which it considers an infringement of its sovereign territory.
Reacting to this, South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff said they can neither affirm nor deny North Korean claims. But the lack of specificity in their response prompted Kim Yo Jong to argue it may have meant South Korea’s military, by at least acquiescing and doing nothing as a fire balloon was launched across the border.
South Korea must heed Kim Yo Jong’s warning
Kim Yo Jong said that if the drones of civil societies enter North Korean territories on the premise of an allowance by South Korea military, then it would also mean “intentional acquiescence and collusion.” She promised Pyongyang would have a different reaction the next time it catches a spy drone from South Korea in its airspace.
“A horrific disaster will take a step closer to accomplishment as soon as even a single drone appears over the skies of our capital,” Kim said. She said she hoped such a situation would not come to pass but that Pyongyang was prepared to defend its national airspace.
Korea Conflict Continues to Simmer
Korea tensions bristle as much from within the South as outside The two sides have taken a series of tit-for-tat steps, with the North conducting more missile tests and Seoul increasing defense drills along with U.S. forces in South Korea. Psychological warfare has since inflamed the situation with propaganda balloons and broadcasts.
North Korea began sending thousands of balloons filled with trash and other waste into the South earlier this year—saying it was in response to attempts by South Korean activists, who had long been launching leaflets critical of the North’s regime. Seoul responded by blasting propaganda and K-pop music over the border, which infuriates Pyongyang.
Worries about the threat of mischief before U.S. vote
Seoul is concerned about Pyongyang stepping up its provocations as U.S. presidential election looms in November North Korea is possibly taking a cue from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol that it could carry out some kind of major provocation, such as either a nuclear test or an intercontinental ballistic missile launch in order to distract Washington.
Some experts say Kim Jong Un is setting the groundwork for a much-anticipated meeting after urging from South Korea into recognition by America as a nuclear power and demanding security guarantees in exchange.
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