SEOUL: South Korea issued a stern warning to North Korea, stating that any harm inflicted on its people by the North would result in “the end of its regime.” This warning came in response to threats made by Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, regarding the alleged incursion of South Korean drones over Pyongyang.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South’s defense ministry released a statement following remarks from Kim Yo-jong, who is a prominent figure in the North’s political landscape, carried by North Korean state media. Kim Yo-jong’s threats were a reaction to claims that South Korea had flown drones over Pyongyang three times in October. The South Korean ministry responded sharply, asserting that any harm to its citizens by North Korea would lead to severe consequences for the North Korean regime.
The statement from South Korea also criticized the North’s actions, including sending balloons filled with trash over the border, as petty and indicative of the regime’s anxiety and fail
ure in governance. These actions were described as attempts by the North to shift blame and create internal discord within South Korea.
Furthermore, the ministry highlighted that North Korea had violated South Korean airspace more than ten times since 2022, suggesting a pattern of provocative behavior. In contrast, North Korea’s state media has ramped up its rhetoric, with reports of widespread anger among its citizens over the alleged drone flights, and threats of severe retaliation.
The ongoing dispute reflects heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with both nations engaging in actions and rhetoric that contribute to regional instability. The situation remains delicate, with international eyes closely watching each development.