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| ▲ This photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a drone that North Korea claims was sent by South Korea across the border into the North's Jangphung County, Kaesong, in September 2025. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) |
defense ministry-drone incursion
Defense ministry vows 'swift' probe into N. Korea's drone incursion claim
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to swiftly cooperate with the police to carry out President Lee Jae Myung's instruction for a probe into drone incursion allegations made by North Korea.
On Saturday, Lee ordered a prompt investigation into alleged drone incursions into the North, warning that such acts would constitute "a grave crime" that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and national security if true.
"We are swiftly carrying out the instructions by the president," ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said in a regular briefing, without providing further details on the scope or the size of the joint task force comprising military and police officials.
When asked about the possibility of civilians being behind the alleged drone incursions, Chung said the task force is looking into the case while "keeping all possibilities open."
She said that the police, which holds the right to probe into civilian drones, is leading the task force.
Addressing the possibility of seeking a joint inter-Korean probe into the allegations, floated by Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, the ministry official said follow-up measures will be considered after the task force completes its investigation.
The defense ministry in November proposed military talks with North Korea on clarifying the Military Demarcation Line within the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas as part of efforts to prevent possible clashes in the inter-Korean buffer zone. The North has yet to respond to the request.
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