'Drone Intrusion into North Korea': Presidential Office Reiterates "No Intent to Provoke or Incite"

"We will promptly disclose the results of the investigation"
Kim Yo-jong emphasizes, "There must be an explanation regarding the entity involved"
President Lee orders "swift and thorough joint military-police investigation into possible civilian drone"
Classified as a 'serious crime' threatening national security

On January 11, the government reiterated that it has no intention of provoking or inciting North Korea regarding the North's claim of a drone intrusion. This statement was made in response to Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, who said in a statement, "What is clear is that a drone from South Korea violated our national airspace," and emphasized, "There must be a concrete explanation regarding the entity involved."

Yonhap News Agency

Previously, the presidential office convened a National Security Council (NSC) working-level coordination meeting on the previous day (January 10). President Lee Jaemyung ordered the formation of a joint military-police investigation team and instructed them to conduct a swift and thorough investigation after the possibility was raised that a civilian might have operated the drone.

The National Security Office stated on this day, "The government once again confirms that it has no intention of provoking or inciting the North," adding, "Following the military's initial investigation, the government will determine the facts through a joint military-police investigation and promptly release the results regarding this drone incident." The office also stressed, "The government will continue to take practical measures and efforts to ease tensions and build trust between the two Koreas."

Earlier that morning, Vice Department Director Kim stated that the only clear fact regarding the drone that entered North Korea was that it originated from South Korea and insisted that an explanation is necessary. Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, said, "The essence of the situation does not lie in whether the perpetrator was military or civilian," noting the South Korean Ministry of National Defense's statement from the previous day. She added, "Personally, I consider the official stance of the South Korean Ministry of National Defense-that it has no intention of provoking or inciting us-a wise choice for their own survival." However, she warned, "If South Korea continues to choose provocation against us, it will not be able to handle the terrible consequences that will follow."

Yonhap News Agency

Previously, on the previous day, President Lee ordered the formation of a joint military-police investigation team and called for a swift and thorough investigation after the possibility was raised that a civilian might have operated the drone. President Lee stated, "If it is true that a civilian operated the drone, it constitutes a serious crime that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and national security," and issued these instructions. Earlier, the presidential office convened a National Security Council (NSC) working-level coordination meeting in response to North Korea's claim of a South Korean drone intrusion. The meeting, presided over by Kim Hyun-jong, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, discussed the circumstances surrounding North Korea's claim of a drone intrusion and possible response measures.

The Ministry of National Defense denied any involvement by the South Korean military in response to North Korea's claim that South Korea had once again sent a drone into its territory, stating that it would thoroughly investigate the possibility that it was a civilian drone. Kim Hong-chul, Director General for Defense Policy, announced the Ministry's position on the statement issued by the General Staff Department of the North Korean military regarding the drone, saying, "According to the results of the initial investigation, our military does not possess the drone in question, nor did it operate any drones during the time frame specified by North Korea."

Director Kim explained, "We plan to conduct a thorough investigation in cooperation with relevant government agencies regarding the possibility that the drone was operated in the civilian sector." He emphasized, "We have no intention of provoking or inciting North Korea, and we will continue to take practical measures and efforts to ease tensions and build trust between the two Koreas."