North Korea warns of 'terrible response' to drone incursions from South

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has warned of a "terrible response" in the event of another drone incursion from South Korea.

Pyongyang’s warning came on early Friday, following South Korea's launch of an investigation into a January incident that Pyongyang claims involved surveillance over its territory.

In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, condemned the alleged drone violation as an unacceptable breach of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) sovereignty.

"I give advance warning that reoccurrence of such provocation as violating the inalienable sovereignty of the DPRK will surely provoke a terrible response," she said, emphasizing that the North would not tolerate such acts "no matter what the circumstances."

Kim stressed that Pyongyang does not distinguish between state, individual, or civilian perpetrators.

"We don't care who the very manipulator of the drone infiltration into the airspace of the DPRK is and whether it is an individual or a civilian organization," she added.

She also described the downed drone as equipped with surveillance gear that had captured footage of "important targets," according to North Korean military claims.

The warning comes after North Korea reported shooting down a drone near its border industrial hub of Kaesong on January 4, 2026, with earlier similar claims dating to September 2025.

Pyongyang released images of alleged drone wreckage through state media to support its accusations.

South Korea has consistently denied any official military involvement in the incidents. Initially, Seoul rejected Pyongyang's claims outright.

However, under the administration of President Lee Jae Myung, who has prioritized dialogue and de-escalation with the North, authorities shifted toward transparency.

Earlier this week, a joint military-police task force announced it was probing three active-duty soldiers — including a major and captains from the Army Intelligence Command and other units — and one staffer from the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The investigation aims to "thoroughly establish the truth" behind the alleged drone operations.

Investigators conducted raids on Tuesday at 18 locations, including the NIS headquarters and Defense Intelligence Command offices, seizing materials as part of the widening probe.

Reports suggest possible links to lingering elements from the previous hardline administration of disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced accusations of using drones for propaganda leaflet drops into the North in 2024.

Some sources indicate the recent drones may have been civilian-operated, potentially to monitor radiation levels at North Korea's Pyongsan uranium facility, with three civilians already charged in related cases.

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North Korea

In a notable diplomatic gesture, South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed "deep regret" over the drone incursions during a public speech earlier this week, describing them as contrary to goals of "mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence."

Kim Yo Jong welcomed this as "quite sensible behavior" and "fortunate," while urging Seoul to implement preventive measures to avoid recurrence.

Kim's response was relatively measured compared to past rhetoric, potentially signaling a window for dialogue amid the new South Korean leadership's outreach efforts. However, her explicit threat of a "terrible response" and reference to "various counterattack plans" underscores Pyongyang's sensitivity to perceived sovereignty violations, especially amid ongoing surveillance concerns.

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