North Korea Requests Fact-Finding Investigation Against South Korea
North Korea is reported to have requested an investigation by a United Nations-affiliated international organization regarding its claim that a South Korean drone infiltrated the airspace over Pyongyang last October.
According to government sources on the 11th, North Korea recently requested the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to conduct a fact-finding investigation against the South Korean government concerning this drone incident. Both South Korea and North Korea are member states of ICAO, a UN-affiliated organization.
Article 8 of the current Convention on International Civil Aviation stipulates that "an aircraft capable of being flown without a pilot shall not fly over the territory of a contracting state without special authorization by that state or in violation of the conditions of such authorization."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated regarding North Korea's ICAO investigation request, "It is not appropriate for us to comment on matters that the relevant international organization does not disclose," adding, "However, according to ICAO regulations, the Council must discuss any issues raised by contracting states."
Meanwhile, North Korea claims that last October, South Korea infiltrated a drone over Pyongyang's airspace to distribute leaflets against the North. The military maintains its position of "unable to confirm" regarding the drone in question.
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