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Seoul Pushes Peace Amid North Korea's Drone Provocation Claims

South Korea's unification ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to easing tensions with North Korea despite Pyongyang's accusations of drone incursions. The North Korean military, supported by Kim Yo-jong's demands for an explanation, claims sovereignty violations and has threatened retaliation. In response, Seoul has denied operating the drones and has formed a joint investigation team to ascertain the facts. The South Korean military suggests the drones may have been flown by private entities, not official forces.

Key Points: South Korea Seeks Tensions Ease Despite North's Drone Claims

  • Seoul denies North's drone incursion claims
  • Joint military-police team to investigate
  • Kim Yo-jong demands explanation from South
  • North threatens Seoul must "pay a high price"
  • South insists no intent to provoke North
2 min read

South Korea: Seoul reaffirms continued efforts to ease tensions with Pyongyang amid drone incursion claim

South Korea reaffirms efforts to build trust with North Korea, denying allegations of drone incursions and launching a joint investigation.

"It's important to continue efforts to alleviate tensions and build trust between the South and the North through prompt truth-finding by the investigation team. - Unification ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho"

Seoul, Jan 12

The South Korean government will continue efforts to ease tensions and build trust with North Korea despite Pyongyang's recent claim accusing Seoul of carrying out drone incursions into the country, the unification ministry said on Monday.

Unification ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho made the remarks after President Lee Jae Myung ordered last week the creation of a joint military-police investigation team to look into the alleged drone incursions.

On Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, demanded that Seoul provide a detailed explanation, a day after the North Korean military claimed that the South violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones carrying surveillance equipment in September and on January 4.

"It's important to continue efforts to alleviate tensions and build trust between the South and the North through prompt truth-finding by the investigation team," the spokesperson said in a press briefing.

Yoon also reaffirmed Seoul's stance that it has no intention of provoking or irritating North Korea, Yonhap news agency reported.

The South Korean military has denied sending the drones on the dates claimed by the North or operating the models found in the North, raising the possibility that they may have been flown by private entities.

On Saturday, North Korea had claimed that South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September last year and earlier this week, saying that Seoul should be ready to 'pay a high price' for what it called a provocation.

But South Korea's defence ministry had rejected Pyongyang's claim, saying the South's military did not operate drones on the dates asserted by the North.

A spokesperson of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army issued a statement denouncing South Korea as 'the most hostile' enemy, insisting that Seoul has continued to stage provocative acts, contradicting its overtures for dialogue with Pyongyang, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"The Republic of Korea (ROK) should be ready to pay a high price for having committed another provocation of infringing on the sovereignty of the DPRK with a drone," the spokesperson said, referring to South Korea by its official name. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The mention of private entities operating the drones is interesting. It shows how non-state actors can complicate international relations. Reminds me of some cross-border issues we deal with. Verification is key! 🔍
R
Rohit P
Kim Yo-jong is always so aggressive in her statements. South Korea is right to stay calm and not get provoked. Building trust takes time, but it's the only way forward for the Korean people. Fingers crossed for peace. 🤞
S
Sarah B
While I appreciate Seoul's peaceful stance, I have to respectfully disagree with always turning the other cheek. Sometimes a firm, unambiguous denial and strong defense posture is necessary to deter future false accusations. The joint investigation is a good step though.
V
Vikram M
This is a classic case of "he said, she said." The North makes a claim, the South denies it. Without independent verification, it's hard to know the truth. The international community should support the investigation team's work.
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Nisha Z
Reading this from India, it feels very familiar. Neighbors having disputes, accusations flying. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only sustainable solutions. War benefits no one. Hope cooler heads prevail in the Korean peninsula.

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