North Korea's Kim Yo-jong demanded a detailed explanation from South Korea on January 11 over drone incursions accused on January 10, despite Seoul's denial of military involvement and launch of an investigation into possible private actors. The exchange risks escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea accused South Korea on January 10, 2026, of sovereignty violations via drone incursions on September 27, 2025, and January 4, 2026. Pyongyang claimed a drone from Incheon's Ganghwa County crashed near Muksan-ri in Kaesong, and another from Paju flew over Phyongsan County in North Hwanghae Province before falling in Jangphung County, Kaesong. State media released debris photos blaming the South Korean military, alleging the drones captured video of a uranium mine, the suspended Kaesong Industrial Complex, and border posts.
South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back rejected the claims, stating the drones did not match military models and no flights occurred on those dates. President Lee Jae-myung ordered a joint military-police probe, warning of severe consequences if confirmed.
On January 11, Kim Yo-jong acknowledged Seoul's denial as a 'wise choice' but insisted on a 'detailed explanation' for the border-crossing drone. She warned of 'terrible consequences' for future incidents, called South Korea 'hooligans and scrap,' and threatened retaliatory UAV flights by North Korean civilian groups if civilians were involved.
Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies viewed the statement as portraying Seoul as hostile to pressure it and undermine Lee's diplomacy since June 2025. This echoes a 2024 drone dispute under former President Yoon Suk-yeol, linked to later martial law charges.
