North Korea said on Saturday that South Korea flew another drone into its airspace on January 4, infringing on its sovereignty, according to state media KCNA.
The drone, which originated from an area in Kanghwa County, Incheon city, was tracked by Korean People’s Army units and allowed to penetrate approximately 8 km (5 miles) into North Korean territory before being downed using special electronic warfare assets, KCNA reported, citing a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army.
According to the KCNA statement, the small fixed-wing drone took off around 12:50 on January 4 and was programmed for a 156 km flight at altitudes of 100-300 meters and a speed of 50 km/h, intended to record surveillance footage of major North Korean facilities in areas including Kaephung District of Kaesong Municipality and parts of North Hwanghae Province. The statement described the drone as equipped with surveillance devices, including cameras, with analysis of recovered wreckage and data revealing nearly 14 minutes of recorded video from two cameras showing North Korean territory.
Photos published by KCNA showed salvaged drone parts in pieces, electronic components, and aerial images that North Korea claimed were captured by the drone.
The statement described the incident as a “grave infringement” and accused South Korea of continuing such provocations “even after the change of a regime” in Seoul, referring to the administration of President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June and has sought to re-engage with Pyongyang to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
It called South Korea the “enemy most hostile” toward the North and warned that Seoul “can never evade the responsibility for escalating tension” and “will be forced to pay a dear price.”
The KCNA report also referenced prior similar incidents, including a drone downed in September 2025 after penetrating DPRK airspace, and an October 2024 accusation of drones overflying Pyongyang.
A South Korean government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest claim.
Reporting based on KCNA press statement dated January 10 (released January 9), as mirrored on KCNA Watch.
