The drone was among five unmanned aerial vehicles North Korea sent across the military demarcation line dividing the two Koreas on Dec. 26. The South Korean army failed to shoot them down, raising questions about the air defense system.
“The UAV briefly flew towards the northern edge of the zone, but did not approach key security facilities,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity, referring to the security zone named “P-73.” The drone raids exposed the South’s unpreparedness to detect, track, and shoot down such small drones. According to the Defense Ministry, North Korean UAVs, in particular, flew on anomalous trajectories, changing speed and altitude unexpectedly.
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup informed the South Korean president of the drone infiltration the day before, during a briefing on anti-UAV measures, such as plans to ensure radar-evading drones are sought out and activated. “drone killer” systems.
Earlier, the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff denied media reports that the drone had entered the security zone. His spokeswoman, Colonel Lee Sung-jung, even expressed “deep regret” for him, calling the reports “false and baseless.”