North Korea says border units ready to fire amid dispute over drones being flown into Pyongyang
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The border area of South Korea and North Korea. The North’s artillery units near the border have been ordered to be ready to fire amid friction over drones.
PHOTO: AFP
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SEOUL – North Korea’s artillery units near the border with South Korea have been ordered to be ready to fire amid friction over drones that Pyongyang says are being flown over the frontier, the state media cited its government as saying on Oct 13.
Some defectors and activists in South Korea fly aid parcels into the North and drop leaflets criticising North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea has blamed the South Korean military for the practice. It has also been floating balloons with trash into the South in reprisal.
North Korean state news agency KCNA quoted its country’s defence ministry spokesperson as saying Pyongyang sees a high likelihood of more drones flying over the capital, with its military told to prepare for all scenarios including conflict.
On Oct 11, North Korea accused South Korea of sending drones into Pyongyang at night this week and last week, and said the intrusion demanded retaliatory action.
Ms Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Mr Kim, warned Seoul on Oct 12 of a “horrible disaster”.
She said the blame lies with the South Korean military if it failed to identify drones sent by a non-governmental organisation crossing the border.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it could not confirm the North’s accusations. REUTERS
