The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a stern warning to South Korea regarding the alleged flights of South Korean drones over the North’s capital. Kim Yo Jong accused South Korea of evading responsibility for these drone activities and cautioned of a “terrible calamity” if they persist.
This statement from Kim Yo Jong follows claims by North Korea’s Foreign Ministry that South Korean drones, carrying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets, were spotted in the night skies over Pyongyang on multiple occasions. The Foreign Ministry stated that North Korean forces would be ready to use all means to retaliate if South Korean drones are detected in its airspace again.
Initially, South Korea’s defense minister denied the accusations, but later the South Korean military revised its stance, stating they could not confirm whether the North’s claims were accurate. Kim Yo Jong, a key figure in North Korea’s foreign policy, suggested that the South Korean military’s vague responses indicated complicity in the drone incidents.
Kim warned that if South Korean drones were to reappear over North Korea’s capital, it would lead to a significant crisis. She expressed hope that such an eventuality could be avoided. South Korea’s military and government have yet to respond to Kim’s statements.
Tensions between North and South Korea have escalated significantly, with increased missile tests by North Korea and joint military exercises between the South and the United States. Both sides have engaged in psychological warfare campaigns, including the sending of balloons with propaganda material across the border.
South Korean officials have raised concerns about potential provocations from North Korea, particularly around the U.S. presidential election in November. Experts suggest that North Korea’s ultimate goal is to strengthen its position in negotiations with the US by demonstrating its nuclear capabilities.
In response to questions from the Associated Press, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol indicated that North Korea might be planning major provocations, such as a nuclear test or missile launch, to garner attention from the US ahead of the election.
The situation between North and South Korea remains tense, with the threat of further escalation looming large amidst the ongoing geopolitical dynamics in the region.