Kim Yo-jong "How would they bark if leaflets are scattered in Seoul?"
JCS "If North Korean drones infiltrate, there will be a corresponding response"
The military authorities warned that if North Korea infiltrates drones into our territory, they will take corresponding countermeasures. Kim Yo-jong, Vice Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, reversed North Korea's claim that the 'Pyongyang drone infiltration incident was South Korea's act,' which our military had ignored, and foretold drone retaliation against the South.
At a regular briefing on the 28th, Lee Seong-jun, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was asked about the military's stance on "Kim Yo-jong's hint at drone retaliation," and he stated, "If (North Korean) drones infiltrate, we will take corresponding actions and appropriate measures to protect the safety and property of our citizens."
North Korea claimed to have discovered debris of an unmanned aerial vehicle of the same model operated by the South Korean military in Pyongyang and released related photos. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The North Korean Ministry of Defense claimed on the same day that the drone that infiltrated the airspace over Pyongyang took off from Baengnyeongdo in the West Sea, releasing a map illustrating the flight path.
Immediately after this announcement, Vice Director Kim said, based on a 'hypothetical situation,' "An unidentified drone appeared over Seoul, and leaflets criticizing the Yoon puppet were scattered," adding, "Neither our military nor any individual or organization flew the drone; we cannot confirm this and it is not worth responding to."
This mocked the South Korean government's response of 'unable to confirm' regarding the problematic drone by fabricating the opposite scenario. Vice Director Kim added, "I want to see just once how the filthy Seoul stray dogs foam at the mouth and bark in such a situation," and "The world will be curious as well."
This has been interpreted as a nervous reaction to the military ignoring North Korea's claims and suggesting that they might retaliate by flying drones to scatter anti-South leaflets. In fact, North Korea flew balloons carrying leaflets criticizing President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife on the 24th.
Regarding North Korea flying leaflets criticizing President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, Lee Seong-jun evaluated, "Very crude North Korean leaflets were scattered over Seoul's airspace, and we believe they had no effect." He added, "If incidents threatening the lives and property of our citizens occur (due to the trash balloons), we will take appropriate military measures. However, it is not yet certain whether military response is necessary."
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