Overview
- Kim Yo-jong said any repeat drone flights would draw a "terrible response" and warned North Korea could choose a counterattack that goes beyond proportionality.
- Her statement followed Unification Minister Chung Dong-young’s expression of regret, which she called "sensible," while pressing Seoul to ensure no recurrence.
- South Korea’s unification ministry pledged to implement prevention measures immediately, with options under review including reinstating flight-restriction zones near the DMZ.
- A joint military–police task force widened its inquiry from three civilians under travel bans to include three active-duty soldiers and a National Intelligence Service staffer, raiding 18 sites including the NIS and Defense Intelligence Command.
- North Korea says it shot down a surveillance drone near Kaesong in early January, a claim Seoul denies, and the exchanges come shortly before Pyongyang’s party congress as Seoul seeks to revive dialogue.