Drones being flown into North Korea by civilians are harming inter-Korean relations, a South Korean minister has stated.
Chung Dong-young claimed three civilians had despatched drones to the secretive state on 4 events since Lee Jae Myung grew to become South Korea‘s president final June.
The suspects flew the plane between September 2025 and January this 12 months, in keeping with Mr Chung, as police and the army examine.
The alleged incursions happened since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took workplace. Pic: Reuters
The unification minister stated drones crashed two occasions within the North, according to claims made by Pyongyang.
On two different makes an attempt, the drones returned to Paju, a border settlement in South Korea, after flying over Kaesong, a metropolis in North Korea, Mr Chung stated on Wednesday.
Authorities within the South have been investigating the three civilians on suspicion of violating the aviation security act and breaching felony legislation by benefiting the enemy, he continued.
Some officers at South Korea’s army intelligence company and the nationwide intelligence service have been additionally below investigation for alleged involvement with the trio, Mr Chung added.
“We specific official remorse to the North,” he stated, and said the federal government was taking the drone incursion incidents very severely.
South Korea’s authorities plans to strengthen penalties for sending drones to the North, Mr Chung stated, together with as much as a one-year jail time period or a ten million received (£5,100) fantastic.
Pyongyang hits out
North Korea has reacted angrily over the exercise, saying final month that drones from South Korea entered its airspace, after one other intrusion in September.
Kim Yo Jong, the highly effective sister of North Korean chief Kim Jong Un, urged Seoul to analyze the incident, warning provocations may lead to “horrible conditions”.
Mr Chung additionally expressed remorse over South Korea sending 18 drones to North Korea below the alleged route of ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol.
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol attending his felony trial on rebellion expenses. Pic: Reuters
“It was an especially harmful incident aimed to induce an assault towards South Korea by sending 18 drones on 11 events, to delicate areas in North Korea together with the airspace over the Staff’ Celebration workplace,” he stated.
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Alleged covert drone operation
South Korean prosecutors have indicted Yoon, who declared a short-lived martial legislation in December 2024, earlier than he was ousted in April 2025, on expenses that embody aiding an enemy state.
They accused him and his army commanders of ordering a covert drone operation into the North to lift tensions and justify his martial legislation decree.
Yoon denies wrongdoing.
A verdict is predicted on Thursday as as to whether his martial legislation declaration amounted to an rebellion.
