'Civilian' faces probes over drone incursion alleged by North
A warning sign in the border area of Paju, Gyeonggi Province, alerts that drones are prohibited from flying over the area, Jan. 11. North Korea claims that South Korean drones infringed on its sovereignty in September 2025 and on Jan. 4. Yonhap
A joint military-police team said Friday that it is investigating a "civilian" over a recent drone incursion alleged by North Korea.
North Korea claimed early this month that South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September last year and on Jan. 4, with the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un demanding Seoul admit and apologize for the incident.
South Korea's military has denied such claims, saying the drones in question were not models operated by the military.
The police did not reveal the suspect's identity and other details of the investigation.
"We have summoned one civilian suspect in connection with the case and are undergoing an investigation," the National Police Agency said in a notice to reporters.
President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a "thorough" investigation into the matter, warning that such acts would constitute a "grave crime" threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula, if confirmed.
Following the police notice, local broadcaster Channel A aired an interview with a 30-something-year-old man, who purported to have sent the drone to the North.
The man, who introduced himself as a graduate student, claimed the civilian suspect summoned by the joint investigation team was his acquaintance who built the drone, and decided to appear before media on his own will.
The interviewee presented what he claimed was aerial footage shot from the drone, as well as other evidence he said proved the drone was his.
"I sent the drones to measure the heavy metal pollution and radiation levels at a uranium production facility located in Pyongsan County, North Korea," he said.
The man added that he sent drones three times since September and plans to voluntarily appear for police questioning.