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Seoul Vows Action After Probe Into North Korea's Drone Incursion Allegations

South Korea's Unification Minister stated the government will take action based on the results of an ongoing investigation into North Korea's allegations that Seoul sent surveillance drones across the border. The remarks come after Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, demanded an apology for the alleged sovereignty violation. Minister Chung Dong-young criticized Pyongyang for delivering its messages through media instead of official channels, calling it abnormal and urging a restoration of dialogue. He also signaled a potential future apology for a separate 2024 drone incident under the previous administration, pending a court ruling.

Key Points: South Korea to Act After Probe Into North's Drone Claims

  • Seoul investigating North's drone violation claims
  • Kim Yo-jong demanded apology from South
  • Probe includes possibility of civilian drones
  • Minister calls for restoration of dialogue channels
  • South may apologize for 2024 drone dispatch
2 min read

South Korea: Seoul to take corresponding action after probe into drone incursions alleged by North

South Korea pledges corresponding action following investigation into North Korea's allegations of cross-border drone incursions, as inter-Korean tensions rise.

"The military-police fact-finding team is currently working swiftly. As soon as the results are released, (the government) will take corresponding action. - Chung Dong-young"

Seoul, Jan 14

South Korea will take action corresponding to the results of its ongoing investigation into drone incursions alleged by North Korea, the unification minister said on Wednesday.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young made the remarks at a policy briefing by agencies affiliated with the ministry, a day after Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, again demanded that Seoul apologise for violating the North's sovereignty.

On Saturday, North Korea's military accused Seoul of sending drones carrying surveillance equipment across the border in September and on January 4, claiming the country's sovereignty had been violated.

South Korea immediately launched an investigation into the allegations, including the possibility that civilians may have been behind the claimed drone incursions, while saying the South's military has not sent the drones or operated the models found in the North.

"The military-police fact-finding team is currently working swiftly. As soon as the results are released, (the government) will take corresponding action," Chung said.

The minister also described the recent delivery of the North's back-to-back messages related to the drone allegations through the media, rather than inter-Korean communication channels, as "extremely unnatural and abnormal," and called for the restoration of dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang.

"I hope the severed inter-Korean contact networks and channels could be restored at the earliest date possible and dialogue can be resumed," Chung noted.

He also signaled that Seoul may issue an apology for drones South Korea sent to North Korea in 2024 under the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration, pending a related court ruling.

Former South Korean President Yoon is currently standing trial on charges of benefiting the enemy over the alleged dispatch of military drones to Pyongyang in 2024, allegedly intended to provoke the North and use any potential retaliation as a pretext for declaring martial law, Yonhap news agency reported.

"After the truth is thoroughly revealed, our government will take corresponding action, as the North Korean leader previously expressed ... an apology and regret for the shooting of a (South Korean) government employee to death in the Yellow Sea in 2020," he noted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The minister's point about using media instead of official channels is spot on. It's so irresponsible and just fuels public panic. Direct communication is the only way to resolve such sensitive issues. Hope they restore those channels soon.
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Priya S
Reading about the former president's trial is shocking. Using drones to provoke a neighbor for domestic political gain? That's playing with fire. South Korea must ensure such reckless actions are never repeated. The region doesn't need more instability.
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Rohit P
As an Indian, I feel South Korea's cautious approach is wise. Jumping to conclusions without a proper probe can backfire. The mention of a potential apology shows maturity. Sometimes swallowing your pride for peace is the stronger move, yaar.
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Aman W
The whole situation is so tense. Kim Yo-jong is always so aggressive in her statements. It must be incredibly difficult for South Korean citizens living with this constant threat. My heart goes out to them. Hope dialogue wins over confrontation.
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David E
While I appreciate South Korea's stated commitment to investigation and corresponding action, I have to offer some respectful criticism. The phrase "corresponding action" is too vague. It could mean anything from an apology to a military response. The public deserves more clarity on what principles will guide that decision.
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Nisha Z

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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