UN Command Concludes Both North and South Korea Violated Armistice Agreement in North Korean Drone Incident

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] The United Nations Command is reported to have judged last month's incursion of a North Korean drone into South Korean airspace and the South Korean military's subsequent military operation as a violation of the Armistice Agreement.

According to military sources on the 25th, the UN Command concluded that both North and South Korea's actions regarding the North Korean drone's intrusion into South Korean airspace last month and the South's response violated the Armistice Agreement.

However, it is known that this conclusion has not yet been officially communicated to the South Korean government.

Materials on North Korean drone identification routes submitted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the National Defense Committee
[Photo provided by the National Defense Committee]
[Image source: Yonhap News Agency]

On the 26th of last month, North Korea sent five drones south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). In response, the South Korean military deployed three drones to conduct reconnaissance activities north of the MDL.

The UN Command formed a special investigation team to look into the matter and is believed to have concluded that both North and South Korea violated the Armistice Agreement.

However, the South Korean government views the military's response as an exercise of the right to self-defense.

Jeon Ha-gyu, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stated at a regular briefing on the 9th regarding the drone response, "It was a proportional response to North Korea's clear military provocation," adding, "This self-defense response is a legitimate right guaranteed by the UN Charter." He further said, "After legal review, the right to self-defense is a legitimate right guaranteed under Article 51 of the UN Charter," and added, "The Armistice Agreement cannot limit the UN Charter."