A South Korean graduate student publicly claimed responsibility for drone flights into North Korea, which Pyongyang accused of sovereignty violations in September 2025 and January 2026. He says his acquaintance, now under joint military-police investigation, conducted the flights to monitor pollution at a uranium facility. President Lee Jae-myung has ordered a thorough probe amid heightened peninsula tensions.
In a development following North Korea's January 10 accusations of South Korean drone incursions—detailed in prior coverage including Kim Yo-jong's demands for explanation—a joint South Korean military-police team announced on January 16 it is investigating a civilian suspect.
Local broadcaster Channel A interviewed a man in his 30s, identifying himself as a graduate student, who claimed the suspect is his acquaintance and that he built the drones. "I sent the drones to measure heavy metal pollution and radiation levels at a uranium production facility in Pyongsan County, North Korea," he stated. He said the flights occurred three times since September 2025 and presented purported aerial footage and other evidence. The man plans to appear voluntarily for police questioning.
South Korea's military had previously denied involvement, stating the drones did not match military models. President Lee Jae-myung ordered a 'thorough' investigation, calling any confirmed acts a 'grave crime' threatening Korean Peninsula peace.
The case risks further escalating cross-border tensions, with investigations continuing.
