The US government said it was in close consultations with South Korea regarding the North Korean drones’ invasion of South Korean airspace and infiltrating into the skies north of Seoul. We also reaffirmed our iron-clad defense commitment to Korea. Reporter Ahn So-young reports.
The White House said on the 26th that five North Korean drones crossed the Military Demarcation Line and invaded South Korean airspace, saying, “We are in close consultation with South Korea regarding the nature of this incursion.”
[NSC 대변인]”We are aware of the reported DPRK drone flights across the military demarcation line, and we are consulting closely with the ROK regarding the nature of this incursion. We recognize the need of the ROK to protect its territorial integrity. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea remains ironclad.”
“We are aware of reports that North Korean drones have flown across the Military Demarcation Line,” a White House National Security Council (NSC) spokesman said in response to a VOA request for comment on North Korea’s drone provocation.
“We are aware of South Korea’s need to protect its territorial integrity,” he said. “The United States’ commitment to the defense of Korea remains ironclad.”
The State Department also sent the same response as the White House to VOA’s request for comment that day.
According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, five North Korean drones crossed the Military Demarcation Line one following another for more than five hours from 10:25 am local time on the 26th.
North Korean drones are said to have crossed over to Paju, Gimpo, and Ganghwa Island, Incheon, and one entered the skies above Seoul and then escaped.
It has been five years and six months since June 2017 that North Korean drones have invaded South Korean airspace.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “The military conducted reconnaissance and operational activities by deploying manned and unmanned reconnaissance assets to areas close to the Military Demarcation Line and north, operating them in accordance with the range of invasion by North Korean UAVs and photographing major enemy military facilities.” said.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized that the South Korean military will continue to respond sufficiently and decisively to North Korea’s provocations.
This is Ahn So-young from VOA News.
