Overview
- North Korea says drones from the South entered its airspace on Sept. 27, 2025, and Jan. 4, 2026, claiming they were brought down with electronic warfare and carried cameras with recorded footage.
- South Korea denies military involvement and says it does not operate the models shown, while a joint military-police probe ordered by President Lee Jae Myung is underway.
- In a new KCNA statement, Kim Yo-jong dismissed prospects for improved ties, demanded an apology, and warned of consequences if similar incidents occur again.
- Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said the government will take corresponding action once the probe’s results are released and criticized Pyongyang’s use of media statements instead of direct channels.
- Officials and commentators highlight the possibility of civilian drones and caution that accidental cross-border flights can escalate tensions, reinforcing calls for tighter regulation near the frontier.