President Lee Jae-myung Orders Urgent Probe Into North Korea Drone Allegations

Who is breaching the silence over the 38th parallel? President Lee Jae-myung has taken a decisive stance against rising tensions. On January 10, 2026, the President ordered a swift and thorough investigation into North Korea's claims that South Korean drones infiltrated its territory. Lee warned that such actions, if confirmed, would constitute a "grave crime" threatening national security.

Lee Jae-myung Orders Probe Into Alleged Drone Incursions

Pyongyang recently alleged that drones from the South entered its airspace in September 2025 and again this week. While Seoul's Defense Ministry has officially rejected these accusations, President Lee is addressing the possibility of private involvement. He stated that if a private group or individual is found responsible, it would be treated as a serious threat to the peace of the Korean Peninsula.

Security Implications and Private Actor Risks

The focus of the probe is whether these drones were operated by private activists, a recurring issue in inter-Korean relations. By labeling unauthorized flights as a potential crime, the Lee administration aims to distance itself from unofficial provocations while maintaining a firm grip on border stability. This move is seen as an effort to prevent accidental military escalation.