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A North Korean drone that has crossed the border in the past. This time Seoul failed to intercept anything.
Five North Korean drones flew over South Korea on Monday after crossing the South Korean border in the past five years, further escalating tensions between the two countries.
The South Korean military dispatched jets and helicopters to respond to the intrusion. 100 rounds were fired Not one of the drones could be shot down.
South Korean military sources said the “unmanned aerial vehicles” violated South Korean airspace in the border areas surrounding Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds its capital.
One of the drones Fly over the northern tip of Seoul before crossing the border again.
After the North Korean incursion and the reaction of South officials, all the drones were lost track of, and may have returned to North Korea.
Increasing tension
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The area that separates the two Koreas along the 38th parallel is one of the world’s most heavily fortified borders and has been a source of tension for the past seven decades.
The latest development comes amid rising military tensions on the Korean peninsula, with Pyongyang breaking its own missile test record this year.
The drones were detected crossing the border around 10:30 am local time (01:30 GMT).
South Korea came Flight take-offs and landings should be suspended for one hour The capital Incheon and Gimpo have two international airports serviced approximately one hour.
One of the South Korean fighter jets involved in the retaliatory operation – a KA-1 light jet – later crashed, although its two pilots were uninjured.
According to the South Korean air force, the plane crashed in Hongseong County, east of Seoul, shortly after taking off from an air base in the nearby city of Wonju, state agency Yonhap cited.
“Provocation” and threat to Seoul
For South Korea, the incursion was a clear “provocative” act by Kim Jong-un’s regime.
“Our armed forces They will always respond fully and firmly to North Korea’s provocations,” a military official said
The South Korean military responded to the incursion by sending surveillance planes to the neighboring country to photograph its military installations, it said.
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The South Korean military maintains several drones, mainly for surveillance.
The last North Korean drone crossed the border That was five years ago, in June 2017When tensions between the two Koreas were at their highest.
South Korea considers Pyongyang’s drones a security threat because they could be used Both spying and raiding.
Earlier this month, North Korea said it had carried out major tests to build its first spy satellite, which could be used to monitor South Korea’s terrain.
He posted an aerial photo of Seoul, which was said to have been taken during a rehearsal.
Experts believe that North Korea is working to improve and perfect its weapons. At the same time, it is pressuring the US to ease sanctions it imposes as punishment for nuclear and long-range missile tests in future negotiations.
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