10.01.2026 11:11
The North Korean army announced that a spy drone sent by South Korea was shot down, warning that "South Korea, which violated our country's sovereignty by sending an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), will pay a heavy price for engaging in a new provocation."
The military tension between North Korea and South Korea has raised security concerns in the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings, while a striking claim has come from the Pyongyang administration.
In a statement from the North Korean army, it was noted that a spy drone sent by South Korea was shot down on January 4, stating, "Our relevant army units allowed the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to fly 8 kilometers into North Korean airspace and intercepted the drone with special electronic warfare tools, causing it to fall 1,200 meters away from the hill at an elevation of 101.5 meters in the Kaephung region."
"IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE FLOWN 156 KILOMETERS"
It was reported that the UAV, equipped with imaging systems, was subjected to detailed examination, stating, "As a result of the studies, it was determined that the UAV, which took off from the Kanghwa region of Incheon city in South Korea around 12:50 on January 4, flew at an altitude of 100-300 meters, at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour for 3 hours and 10 minutes, covering a distance of 156 kilometers."
"A CLEAR VIOLATION OF SOVEREIGNTY"
It was claimed that the UAV recorded video footage of 6 minutes and 59 seconds and 6 minutes and 58 seconds from North Korea before being shot down, stating, "This video data is clear evidence that the UAV violated our country's territorial integrity and airspace for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes."
"IT STRENGTHENED OUR HOSTILITY"
Recalling that South Korea also sent UAVs to North Korea in September of last year, it was stated, "Despite South Korea's calls for dialogue in public, it does not cease its provocative actions. This situation has once again reinforced our hostility towards the true nature of South Korea."
"SOUTH KOREA IS A COPY OF THE MADMEN IN KYIV"
Emphasizing that the recent developments have once again proven that South Korea is "the biggest enemy," it was stated, "South Korea is definitely a target that will be destroyed if it attacks us and is a perfect copy of the madmen in Kyiv." In the statement, which emphasized that South Korea's latest move is unacceptable, it was warned that "South Korea, which violates our sovereignty by sending unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), will pay a heavy price for initiating a new provocation."