SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has demanded an explanation from South Korea over a drone it claims crossed into its territory earlier this month, state media reported Sunday.
The North alleged that the drone entered Kaesong from the South Korean border county of Ganghwa in early January and released photos of the wreckage it said was shot down. Seoul’s defense ministry rejected the claim, saying the drone was not operated by its military.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Seoul should provide a “detailed explanation” about the incident, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). She added that it did not matter whether the drone was civilian or military.
Seoul said its investigation confirmed that it does not possess the drone in question and that no unmanned aerial vehicles were operated by its military at the time. President Lee Jae Myung ordered a “swift and rigorous investigation” by a joint military-police team. Lee also said that if civilians operated the drone, it would constitute a serious crime against national security.
The drone allegation comes as former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces trial over claims that he illegally ordered drone operations to provoke North Korea and justify a short-lived bid to impose martial law. Yoon was impeached and removed from office in April 2025 over the incident.
