(CNN) – North Korea accused South Korea of flying propaganda-laden drones over Pyongyang and threatened “retaliation”.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not confirm or deny the allegations, but urged North Korea “not to act basely” and said “full responsibility for the recent series of developments rests with North Korea.” Pyongyang continues to send to the South.
On Friday night, North Korea’s foreign ministry launched an “extremely hostile and malicious country that has infiltrated drones in Pyongyang” and carried out serious political and military provocations against “North Korea-North Korea” three times in the past week, state media reported.
The ministry warned that South Korea could face a dire situation if it continues with provocations.
North Korea’s state-run KCNA released images of what it said was a drone, as well as photos of leaflets that said “comparing food you can buy” and “North Korea’s economic situation is going to hell”.
CNN cannot independently confirm the presence of drones in North Korean airspace.
For years, South Korean activists and North Korean defectors have sent balloons to the North with USBs filled with propaganda materials critical of leader Kim Jong Un, K-pop songs and South Korean TV shows. A very isolated country. Some enthusiasts have even fitted “smart” balloons with GPS trackers that can travel hundreds of kilometers.
In 2020, South Korea passed a law criminalizing the cross-border delivery of anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets as the previous liberal government in Seoul pressed for engagement with Pyongyang.
But in response to a complaint filed by North Korean activist-turned-defectors in the South, several activists challenged the law before it was banned by a court last year.
In response, North Korean officials have sent more than 1,000 balloons to the South since May, loaded with trash, debris and worms, fueling tensions as Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s powerful sister, warned of “trouble” ahead.
In 2022, North Korea sent five drones to South Korea, four of which flew around Ganghwa Island and another in the airspace north of the capital, Seoul.
