January 11, 2026 | 09:33 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -North Korea on Saturday accused South Korea of flying a drone into its airspace on January 4 and infringing on its sovereignty.
What did North Korea say?
The North Korean military tracked the drone "moving northwards" over South Korea's Ganghwa county, one of the closest territories to the North, Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited a spokesman for the Korean People's Army as saying.
The drone was shot down inside the North Korean airspace near the city of Kaesong after flying for 8 kilometers, the spokesperson added.
Pyongyang alleged that the drone was equipped with surveillance cameras and had reportedly filmed "major" North Korean facilities.
The state news agency published photos of the destroyed drone and its purported surveillance footage.
How has South Korea reacted?
South Korea dismissed the North's claims, saying that it had no record of the flight.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said in a statement that the drone Pyongyang was referring to was "not a model operated by our military."
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung — who vowed reengagement with the North after taking office in June — has ordered a thorough investigation, Seoul said.
Pyongyang alleges another drone incursion
According to North Korea's military, another South Korean drone was shot down over Kaesong last September.
South Korea is already conducting a probe into alleged drone flights over the North last year.
In October 2024, North Korea had claimed that a South Korean drone reached Pyongyang.
Prosecutors in South Korea have indicted ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol — who was in power then — over charges that he allegedly used the drone incursions as a ruse for his failed attempt to impose martial law.
Yoon is now in detention and denies the accusations.
Read: South Korea's Lee Asks Xi to Play "Mediator" Role with North
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
South Korea's Lee Asks Xi to Play "Mediator" Role with North
3 hari lalu
After talks earlier this week, South Korea's president said he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help limit Pyongyang's nuclear program.
North Korea Tests Hypersonic Missile as Kim Jong Un Cites Venezuela Crisis
5 hari lalu
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a hypersonic missile test on Sunday in a necessary exercise due to the "recent geopolitical crisis," according to his statement quoted by the state media.
North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles off Its East Coast
6 hari lalu
Pyongyang's latest display of firepower comes ahead of South Korean President Lee's meeting with China's Xi Jinping.
South Korea Allows Public Access to North Korean Newspapers
7 hari lalu
Starting this week, residents of South Korea can read the North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun.
Kim Jong Un's Daughter Visits Mausoleum, Fueling Heir Rumors
8 hari lalu
In North Korea, the visit to the Kim dynasty's mausoleum comes as Pyongyang prepares for its first ruling party congress in five years.
North Korea Tests Long-Range Cruise Missiles: State Media
13 hari lalu
North Korea's Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the launching drill for new long-range cruise missiles, according to state media.
North Korea's Kim Jong Un Unveils New 'Nuclear-Powered' Submarine
15 hari lalu
Kim Jong Un visited a nuclear submarine construction site and oversaw a new anti-aircraft missile test amid rising regional tensions.
North Korea Indicates Progress in Building Nuclear Submarine
16 hari lalu
Kim Jong Un was seen inspecting the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine along with his teenage daughter.
Amazon Blocks 1,800 Job Applications from North Korea
18 hari lalu
Amazon has stated that it has blocked more than 1,800 North Korean citizens from joining the company since April 2024.
North Korea Denounces Nuclear Agreement Between South Korea and US
53 hari lalu
Pyongyang said an agreement between South Korea and the US to build nuclear-powered submarines signaled "a more volatile regional security situation."
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5316291/original/015050100_1755231247-5.jpg)
