North Korean leader's sister threatens South Korea with drone flight | world news

South Korea's defense minister initially denied the allegations, but the South Korean military later adjusted its response, saying it could not confirm whether the North's claim was true.

In comments reported by state media, Kim, one of his brother's top foreign policy officials, said ambiguous statements by the South Korean military should be taken as proof that they were the main perpetrators or accomplices in the incident.

If the military stands by while its own citizens use drones, a widely recognized versatile military tool, to violate another country's sovereignty, thereby increasing the risk of armed conflict with potential adversaries, it would amount to intentional acquiescence and collusion, he said.

The moment a South Korean drone is discovered again in the sky above our capital, a terrible disaster will certainly occur. I personally hope this doesn't happen.

South Korea's military and government did not immediately respond to Kim's comments.

Tensions between the Koreas are now at their worst level in years, as North Korean missile tests and the South's joint military training with the United States accelerate. Hostilities between Koreans have escalated in recent months due to a Cold War-style psychological warfare campaign.

Since May, North Korea has sent thousands of balloons carrying waste paper, plastic and other trash to the South, in what it described as retaliation against South Korean civilians who flew balloons carrying anti-North Korean propaganda across the border. .

The South Korean military responded to the North's balloon campaign by using border speakers to broadcast propaganda and K-pop into North Korea.

North Korea is highly sensitive to any criticism outside the authoritarian regime of leader Kim Jong Un and his family's dynastic rule.

South Korean officials have expressed concern that North Korea will increase pressure on Seoul and Washington ahead of US presidential elections in November. Experts say Kim's long-term goal is to eventually force Washington to accept North Korea as a nuclear power and to negotiate economic and security concessions from a position of power.

In a written response to questions from The Associated Press this month, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said North Korea is likely preparing major provocations around the U.S. election, possibly including the detonation of a nuclear device or a test. flight time of an intercontinental ballistic device. missile. , while trying to get Washington's attention.