North Korea warns of retaliation over alleged South Korea drones flights near Pyongyang

Tensions between North and South Korea escalated dramatically on Friday as North Korea warns south Korea of flying drones over Pyongyang to drop anti-government leaflets.

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry described the alleged drone flights as a “dangerous provocation” and warned that future incursions would be met with force, stating, “The safety lock on our trigger has now been released.”

According to North Korea, drones were spotted over its capital on October 3 and again during the nights of Wednesday and Thursday this week. Pyongyang accused the South of violating its sovereignty, threatening to respond with “all means of attack” and warning that further provocations could lead to an armed conflict or even war.

In response to the accusations, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun denied the claims during a parliamentary hearing, stating, “We have not done that,” though he added that the situation was still under assessment. The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a more cautious statement, saying they could not confirm the accuracy of the North’s claims but warned the North to “exercise restraint and not act recklessly.”

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North Korea’s warning comes against the backdrop of an ongoing psychological warfare campaign between the two countries. Since May, North Korea has sent balloons filled with trash into South Korea, a retaliation against South Korean activists who launched anti-North Korean propaganda balloons across the border. South Korea has responded by using loudspeakers at the border to broadcast K-pop and propaganda.

As tensions rise, North Korea has ramped up its military rhetoric, recently announcing it would permanently block its border with South Korea and fortify its front-line defenses. The North has accused the U.S. and South Korea of “confrontational hysteria” through joint military exercises and strategic asset deployments.While South Korea denies the drone allegations, the stakes remain high, with North Korea continuing to build its nuclear capabilities and engaging in provocative actions aimed at forcing recognition as a nuclear power. Experts warn that Pyongyang may carry out a major provocation, such as a nuclear test, around the U.S. presidential election in November.

In a clear message to Pyongyang, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned the North’s actions, stating, “North Korea will face consequences that it will find difficult to withstand if its balloon activities jeopardize the safety of South Korean people.”