Overview
- South Korea’s Unification Minister Jung Dong-yeon on Tuesday voiced regret over drones that allegedly crossed into North Korean airspace, framing the statement as a step toward peaceful coexistence.
- KCNA quoted Kim Yo-jong as calling the minister’s message “very reasonable” and as urging Seoul to prevent a recurrence of what Pyongyang labels a serious sovereignty violation.
- Kim warned that any repeat incident would invite a “horrible” response, saying North Korea would “undoubtedly” choose from counterattack plans already prepared.
- Seoul opened an investigation after the latest claims and has identified three civilian suspects, including a graduate student and two people reported to have links to military intelligence.
- In a separate development, Kim Jong Un praised North Korean soldiers reported to be fighting alongside Russia and pledged unconditional support for Vladimir Putin, with South Korean and Western intelligence estimating thousands deployed and about 600 killed.