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North Korea requests UN investigation into alleged South Korean drone intrusion

Published: 11 Feb. 2025, 11:06 Updated: 11 Feb. 2025, 18:30

SEO JI-EUN
[email protected]

A performance test of suicide attack drones, produced by an affiliated institute of the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex and businesses, takes place under the inspection of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Nov. 14, 2024. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

South Korea's Foreign Ministry warned against the "politicization" of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Tuesday after North Korea reportedly requested the UN agency's investigation into its claim that South Korean drones infiltrated Pyongyang's airspace in October.

According to a government source cited by local media on Monday, North Korea recently submitted a request to the ICAO for a probe into Seoul's alleged drone infiltration last year.

The South Korean government is reported to have recently discussed ways to respond to the issue.

In mid-October, North Korea claimed to have discovered unmanned aerial vehicles sent to Pyongyang by South Korea, warning of retaliation if such actions were repeated. South Korea has neither confirmed nor denied the claim.

South and North Korea are both member states of the ICAO.

“The government opposes North Korea’s attempt to politicize the ICAO without presenting clear evidence," a South Korean Foreign Ministry official said in a closed-door briefing on Tuesday.

"Furthermore, North Korea must first halt its GPS jamming activities, which violate international norms and pose a significant threat to civil aviation safety in South Korea and the global community.”

Despite Seoul's objections, the official acknowledged that ICAO's regulations require the council to review any concerns formally raised by a member state.

However, a full-scale investigation into North Korea’s claim is unlikely, according to a source familiar with the matter. Instead, the issue is expected to be limited to discussions at the ICAO Council, where both South and North Korea will have the opportunity to present their positions while member states share their views.

BY SEO JI-EUN, YONHAP [[email protected]]