Seoul: Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a stern warning to South Korea, claiming that the country would face a “horrible disaster” if its drones were to fly over Pyongyang again. This statement was made public through the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, following the regime’s recent claims of South Korean drone activity over its capital.
The tensions escalated after North Korea alleged that South Korean drones had flown over Pyongyang three times in October. Kim Yo-jong remarked, “We have no concern about who is the main force provoking the recent drone incident,” emphasizing that the North would take decisive retaliatory actions if any drones perceived as provocations were detected in its airspace.
Her statement followed North Korea’s own act of sending “trash balloons” toward South Korea, a move seen as an attempt to assert its presence amidst ongoing hostilities. The North’s foreign ministry claimed the alleged drone incursions were detected on October 3, as well as on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. In response, they threatened a forceful retaliation if such flights continued.
Initially, Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun denied the claims that South Korean military drones had crossed the border. However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff later stated that they could not confirm the validity of North Korea’s allegations. This ambiguity in response led Kim Yo-jong to assert that the South Korean military’s indecision essentially implies an admission of guilt.
“Such attitude of neither denying nor admitting the case proves that the military admitted by itself that it is the chief criminal or accomplice of the current incident,” she stated, suggesting that this lack of clarity reflected poorly on South Korea’s military integrity.
Kim Yo-jong further warned that South Korea should be prepared to face severe consequences for its “repeated provocations.” She ominously stated that the “attack time” to “destroy” South Korea could occur at any moment, asserting that the timing of such actions was not under North Korea’s control.
“The moment that a drone of the ROK is discovered in the sky over our capital city once again will certainly lead to a horrible disaster,” she stated, reiterating the seriousness of the North’s stance.
The North’s state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, amplified the situation by showcasing angry reactions from its citizens regarding the alleged drone flights. The publication reported that “millions of our people are boiling with unstoppable rage” and expressed a desire for “merciless revenge” against the South.
Some residents were quoted as referring to South Korea as “puppet trash,” “scum,” and “rats,” and expressed a strong wish to “quickly turn the enemy’s stronghold into a sea of fire.” This kind of language serves to inflame public sentiment and foster a climate of hostility towards the South, aligning with the regime’s narrative that seeks to solidify its internal control through external adversaries.
The use of alleged drone flights is perceived not only as a tactical provocation but also as a calculated propaganda manoeuvre by North Korea. By framing South Korea as a hostile entity, the North aims to justify its decision to abandon the unification policy and instead define the two Koreas as fundamentally antagonistic. This shift in policy reflects a broader strategic imperative for North Korea to fortify its national identity and bolster internal support in the face of external pressures.
As tensions between the two Koreas continue to rise, the international community watches closely, aware that any miscalculation could lead to a significant escalation of hostilities in the region. The fragile peace on the Korean Peninsula remains tenuous, with both sides seemingly entrenched in their respective positions.
In summary, Kim Yo-jong’s statement serves as a reminder of the volatility that characterizes relations between North and South Korea. As accusations and threats fly between the two nations, the potential for conflict looms ever larger, underscoring the need for diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.