North Korea Reports Finding Debris of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Like South Korean Military Drones in Pyongyang

"Claimed to be the same model as the drone released by the drone company"
"Discovered again, will retaliate if confirmed"

North Korea announced that it discovered debris of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the same model as drones operated by the South Korean military in Pyongyang and released related photos.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 19th, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense of North Korea stated through the Korean Central News Agency, "The serious sovereignty violation provocation incident by South Korean military thugs has been clearly confirmed through the acquisition of decisive evidence and objective, scientific investigation."

According to the announcement, the Pyongyang City Safety Bureau discovered UAV debris in the 76 Inminban area of Seopo 1-dong, Hyungjesan District during a focused search of Pyongyang districts on the 13th.

The spokesperson said that the investigation results by specialized agencies including the Ministry of National Defense and the State Security Department "scientifically confirmed that the UAV originated from the Republic of Korea."

He added, "Experts judged that this UAV is the same model as the 'long-range reconnaissance small drone' equipped with the South Korean military's 'Drone Operations Command,' which was publicly displayed mounted on a vehicle during the Armed Forces Day commemorative event."

The spokesperson stated that considering the UAV's appearance, estimated flight time, and the leaflet-dispensing container attached, it is highly likely that the UAV was used for leaflet distribution over Pyongyang, but the conclusion on this matter remains undecided.

He further said, "It is evidence of a separate incident of unauthorized airspace violation" and "It will be regarded more seriously as a continuous provocation case by hostile military thugs."

The spokesperson conveyed that the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff have issued orders to reinforce anti-air surveillance posts across units near the border line.

The General Staff decided to maintain full combat readiness of artillery combined units near the border and units assigned important firepower missions.

The spokesperson threatened, "If military intrusion acts by the Republic of Korea into the territory, airspace, and territorial waters of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are discovered and confirmed again, it will be considered a serious military provocation against the sovereignty of the Republic, tantamount to a declaration of war, and immediate retaliatory attacks will be carried out."

The spokesperson's announcement was also reported in the Rodong Sinmun, which is read by North Korean residents.