Analysts dismiss the ‘implausible’ breach involving low-tech devices as a ploy, backing Seoul’s denial that its military was involved
North Korea’s latest accusations that South Korean drones violated its airspace appear aimed at painting Seoul as a permanent enemy ahead of a key party congress, rather than addressing an actual security breach, analysts say.
By reviving claims of cross-border incursions and threatening retaliation, the North is reinforcing its portrayal of inter-Korean relations as irreversibly hostile – just as South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung seeks to reopen channels of communication.
Lee, who took office last year after the impeachment of his conservative predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol, has vowed to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang. Yet observers say the new incursion claims risk undermining that effort, and raise questions over whether r unaffiliated civilians or activists were behind the alleged drone flights.
‘Implausible’ spy tech
North Korea on Saturday accused the South of flying a drone into its airspace on January 4, claiming it originated from an island near the city of Incheon and flew 8km (5 miles) before being brought down.
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