▲ This image shows Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae-N Korea

(LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae reaffirms no intention of provoking N. Korea over drone incursion

(ATTN: UPDATES with reported presidential office meeting)

SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- Cheong Wa Dae on Sunday reaffirmed that South Korea has no intention of provoking or irritating North Korea, after Pyongyang again blamed the South for drone incursions into the North and demanded an explanation.

In a statement, the Office of National Security at Cheong Wa Dae said, "The government once again confirms that it has no intention of provoking or irritating the North side."

"The government will look into the latest drone incident through a joint military-police probe and promptly disclose its results," the office said, also pledging continued efforts to ease inter-Korean tension and build trust.

On Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, called on Seoul to provide a detailed explanation, a day after the North Korean military claimed that the South violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones in September and on Jan. 4.

The South Korean military denied sending the drones or operating the models found in the North, raising the possibility that private entities may have been behind them and pledging an investigation.

Sources said the Office of National Security held a meeting Sunday with officials from the military, police and relevant ministries to check progress on the joint probe, which was ordered by President Lee Jae Myung the previous day.

Cheong Wa Dae declined to confirm whether the meeting took place, saying only that the government is taking steps in response to Lee's instructions.

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