The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has threatened retaliatory measures in the event of further intrusion of drones into the DPRK’s airspace from the south. According to the AFP agency, the state agency KCNA reported on this on Friday, writes TASR.
- Kim Jong-un’s sister threatened retaliation for drone intrusion.
- The incident in January raised tensions between the Koreas.
- Seoul initially denied involvement in the drone incident.
The warning came after an incident in January, when Pyongyang, according to its own words, shot down a South Korean drone near the city of Kaesong. At the time, the North Korean authorities published images showing the wreckage of the downed drone as evidence.
Tensions between the Koreas
“I warn in advance that the repetition of such provocations, which violate the inalienable sovereignty of the DPRK, will certainly provoke a terrible retaliation,” the sister of North Korean leader Kim Yo-jong said in a statement.
Kim acknowledged that South Korea had taken “reasonable” steps in the wake of the January incident, but also said that violating North Korea’s sovereignty was unacceptable regardless of the circumstances.
Investigation of the incident
“We don’t care who is the real manipulator of the drone intrusion into DPRK airspace, and whether it is an individual or a civilian organization,” Kim’s sister stated.
“I warn the authorities of the Republic of Korea to pay attention to prevention so that such a senseless act never happens again in their country,” she concluded.
The January incident, according to AFP, raised tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul and threatened South Korea’s efforts to improve relations with its northern neighbor.
Raiding and seizing evidence
Although Seoul initially denied any involvement in the incident, a joint military-police team announced this week that it had carried out raids in an effort to pin down responsibility.
During the operation, the team searched and seized evidence at a total of 18 locations, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Defense Ministry’s Military Intelligence Headquarters, as well as the homes and offices of the suspects.
The investigation involves at least three active members of the South Korean armed forces, including a major and an intelligence unit captain, and one intelligence officer. According to the police, they are suspected of participating in unauthorized drone flights over North Korea.
