South Korea North Korea drone claims 2026: Defense Chief Slams Incursion Allegations as 'False'

The skies are clear of South Korean military drones, but the war of words is reaching a boiling point. South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Saturday flatly denied North Korea's claims that Seoul sent drones across the border on two separate occasions, stating the aircraft shown in North Korean photos don't match any military models.

Pyongyang’s Warning of a ‘High Price’ and South Korea North Korea drone claims 2026

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the North Korean military claimed it captured and tracked a drone moving north from Ganghwa County on January 4, 2026. They alleged that their electronic warfare assets forced the drone to crash near Kaesong. Pyongyang labeled the incident a grave infringement on its sovereignty and warned that Seoul should be prepared to "pay a high price" for the provocation.

Seoul’s Rebuttal: Mismatched Models and Clear Flight Logs

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back countered that the allegations are "absolutely not true." He pointed out that the photos released by the North do not resemble any equipment operated by the South Korean military. "How could that be possible when the nightmare of martial law still feels like it was just yesterday?" Ahn said, referring to the recent domestic political turmoil. He confirmed that the Drone Operation Command and other key units had no flight operations on the dates cited by the North.

President Lee Jae-myung has reportedly ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that relevant agencies are verifying details to ensure absolute clarity on the military's non-involvement.