S. Korea seeks to reinstate 'no-fly zone' to prevent civilian drone incursions into N. Korea

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks during a press conference at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, Wednesday. Yonhap

South Korea will actively seek to reinstate no-fly zones along its border with North Korea in a partial revival of the suspended 2018 inter-Korean military pact, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Wednesday, in a move aimed at preventing civilian drone flights into the North.

The Ministry of National Defense also said it is reviewing the partial restoration of the military agreement in consultation with relevant government agencies and the United States.

The announcement came five days after Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, urged Seoul to take steps to prevent further incursions.

Speaking at a press conference, Chung said the government is reviewing steps to partially revive the military agreement from Sept. 19, 2018, which created buffer zones and flight restrictions aimed at reducing the risk of accidental clashes.

"In coordination with military authorities, the government will proactively review and pursue the restoration of the Sept. 19 inter-Korean military agreement, including the possible reestablishment of no-fly zones, in order to prevent accidental clashes and rebuild military trust," Chung said.

The military pact was signed in Pyongyang between former President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un, but was fully suspended in 2024 as a result of heightened inter-Korean tensions.

Chung said the government will also seek to strengthen penalties for unauthorized drone flights in restricted airspace by revising the Aviation Safety Act, while working with local governments in border areas to ensure the safety of residents there.

"The government views this matter with the utmost seriousness, and formally expresses its regret to the North," the minister said.

Kim Yo-jong, in a statement issued last Friday, called Chung's earlier expression of regret over the alleged drone incursions "sensible" and urged Seoul to ensure that "such a foolish deed would never recur again."

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, attends a wreath-laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 2, 2019. Reuters-Yonhap

Kim's remarks followed comments Chung made two days earlier during a congratulatory speech at a Catholic Mass, where he expressed "deep regret" over drones allegedly sent by South Korean civilians into the North and said Seoul seeks peaceful coexistence with Pyongyang.

Asked whether the timing of Wednesday's statement, which came on the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, was linked to Kim's warning, Chung replied that the government had decided to clarify its official position during a security-related ministerial meeting held during the holiday.

The unification minister also revealed that a joint military-police investigation has so far confirmed four separate drone incursions by three civilian suspects. The probe team was launched following Pyongyang's accusation that South Korean drones intruded into its airspace in September last year and again on Jan. 4.

According to the probe, Chung said, the first incident occurred on Sept. 27, 2025, in Incheon's Ganghwa County, and two more flights took place on Nov. 16 and 22, with a fourth launch on Jan. 4 this year.

Of the four drones, two — those sent in September 2025 and in January — crashed in North Korean territory. These findings matched incidents previously disclosed by Pyongyang, the minister noted.

A joint military-police investigation team probing North Korea’s claim that South Korean drones infiltrated its airspace carry out a search and seizure operation, Jan. 21, at a university campus in Seoul, where several suspects were students. Yonhap

The joint investigation has expanded to examine possible involvement by South Korean government officials. On Feb. 10, investigators searched the National Intelligence Service and the Defense Intelligence Command.

"The results of the searches of the military and intelligence agencies, as well as the full details of the drone incident, will be disclosed to the public once the investigation is completed," the minister said.

Responding to criticism that the ministry's statement was premature as the probe is still underway, Chung said that "acknowledging wrongdoing and expressing regret were the minimum steps necessary to rebuild trust between the two Koreas."

The drone episode has complicated efforts by the Lee Jae Myung government to revive long-stalled dialogue with Pyongyang, which has so far remained unresponsive. Some analysts say the North's accusations may also serve to fuel anti-Seoul sentiment ahead of a major Workers' Party congress expected later this month.