UN Command concludes both Koreas breached armistice by flying drones
The U.S.-led UN Command has concluded both South and North Korea violated the armistice by sending drones into each other's territory last month, an informed source said Wednesday.
The UN Command recently reached the conclusion after its special team investigated the North's Dec. 26, 2022 drone infiltrations, which led the South to send its drones into the North in a "corresponding" step.
UN Command Commander General Paul LaCamera has been briefed on the investigation outcome, told the source, requesting anonymity.
LaCamera, who also heads the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the U.S. Forces Korea, is said to have been pondering whether to disclose the outcome amid concerns that it could risk friction with the Seoul government.
Seoul's Defense Ministry defended its sending of the drones into the North's territory as the exercise of its right to "self-defense," stressing the right is not restricted by the armistice.
Asked to comment on the UN Command's conclusion, the ministry said that the South Korean military respects the command's authority related to the armistice enforcement, and that it has been "actively" cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
UN Command's official comment was requested on the issue, but it was not immediately provided.
The UN Command is an enforcer of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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