North Korea said Saturday that a South Korean drone violated its airspace earlier this month, the latest allegation likely to heighten tensions ahead of a key ruling party meeting in Pyongyang. According to the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, a drone entered North Korean airspace on January 4 and was shot down by its military. KCNA said the drone originated from an island near the South Korean city of Incheon and flew about 8 kilometers (5 miles) before being downed, reports Reuters.
The drone was equipped with surveillance cameras and was used to photograph what KCNA described as “major” North Korean facilities. The news agency published images showing wreckage of the drone, electronic components and aerial photos it said were recovered from the device.
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KCNA said the incident followed a similar drone incursion in September, when another South Korean drone was shot down near Kaesong. It accused South Korea of continuing provocations despite a change in leadership in Seoul, calling the South its “enemy most hostile.”
The announcement comes as North Korea prepares for a major party congress expected to outline policy priorities for the next five years.
South Korea’s military denied responsibility, saying it does not operate the drone model shown by North Korean media and did not fly drones on the date cited by Pyongyang. It said it would investigate whether a civilian drone may have crossed the border.
“We have no intention of provoking North Korea, and we will continue to take practical measures and efforts to ease... tensions and build trust,” South Korea’s military said in a statement.
Since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, North Korea has rejected efforts by his administration to re-engage and reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea expert Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification questioned Pyongyang’s claims, noting that the drone parts shown appeared to be low-cost consumer products and that the images released did not appear to have significant military value.
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“The South Korean military already has a number of high-value assets that can clearly monitor the area near the armistice line,” Hong said, making it unlikely the drone belonged to the South’s military.
North Korea has previously accused South Korea of sending drones over Pyongyang, including an alleged incident in October 2024. Those claims have repeatedly been denied by Seoul, as both sides continue to trade accusations amid strained relations.
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