PYONGYANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un convened an urgent security meeting with top military and intelligence officials to address what the state media described as South Korea’s infiltration of drones over Pyongyang. The meeting focused on formulating a military response to the alleged provocations, amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the gathering, which occurred on Monday, involved discussions on North Korea’s strategic plans to counteract what has been termed as “serious provocations” by South Korea. Reports at the session highlighted the readiness of North Korea’s military counteraction strategies and the current status of its intelligence operations. This security meeting marks the first of its kind to be held in such a format, as noted by South Korea’s unification ministry.
The tension has been fueled by North Korea’s claims last Friday that it had identified South Korean drones, allegedly carrying anti-North propaganda leaflets, flying over Pyongyan
g on three occasions this month. In response, the North Korean military has placed its front-line artillery units on high alert, threatening to initiate forceful actions if such drone flights continue.
During the meeting, Kim Jong-un outlined a plan for “immediate military action” and emphasized significant tasks necessary for the operation of the country’s war deterrent capabilities and the exercise of its self-defense rights to protect national sovereignty. However, specific details of the proposed military actions were not disclosed.
The meeting saw the attendance of several key figures, including Ri Yong-gil, the Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, and Ri Chang-ho, director of the General Reconnaissance Bureau. Additionally, commanding officers from the army’s detection and electronic warfare bureau were present, indicating the seriousness with which North Korea is addressing the alleged infiltrations.
Experts, such as Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studie
s, suggest that North Korea is using this incident to heighten military readiness and internal solidarity while also increasing social discipline across the country.
Amid these developments, Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un and a prominent political figure, has accused the South Korean military of orchestrating the drone infiltrations, a claim that South Korea has yet to verify. In a stark warning, South Korea’s defense ministry has stated that any aggressive actions by North Korea could lead to the end of its regime.
This incident comes after several months of increased provocations, including North Korea sending balloons filled with trash over the border, in retaliation to anti-Pyongyang leaflets dispersed by South Korean activists and defectors.