South Korea drone incursion investigation 2026: Civilian suspect summoned after North's claims

The military says it wasn't them, but the police have a suspect. South Korea's joint military-police team announced on January 16, 2026, that they've summoned a civilian suspect linked to alleged drone incursions into North Korea. It's a significant pivot in a case that has kept the peninsula on edge for weeks.

Timeline of the South Korea drone incursion investigation

Pyongyang sparked the controversy earlier this month by releasing photos of a captured drone. According to the KCNA, South Korean drones infringed on its sovereignty in September 2025 and again on January 4. While the ROK military denied using those specific models, the National Police Agency is now looking into whether a private citizen bypassed border security.

President Lee Jae Myung warns of 'grave crime'

The political stakes are sky-high. President Lee Jae Myung hasn't minced words, ordering a "thorough" investigation into the matter. He warned that if a civilian is found responsible, it would constitute a grave crime threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula. This stance aims to signal to both the North and the domestic public that unauthorized cross-border activities won't be tolerated.