North Korea has accused South Korea of sending drones into its capital, heightening already simmering tensions. The drones allegedly dropped propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang, which the North described as a provocation that could lead to “armed conflict and even war.”
After making the accusations on Friday, North Korea announced that border troops were on alert to open fire. In response, South Korea warned that any threat to its citizens would signify “the end of the North Korean regime.”
On Tuesday, North Korea carried out a threat by blowing up sections of two roads linking the countries. The next day, it claimed that 1.4 million young North Koreans had applied to join the military. These incidents are the latest in a series of escalating tensions since Kim Jong Un declared the South as North Korea’s primary adversary in January.
On October 11, North Korea’s foreign ministry accused South Korea of flying drones over Pyongyang for two weeks, dropping leaflets containing “inflammatory rumors and rubbish.” Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un, warned Seoul of “horrible consequences” if these alleged drone flights continued, stating that there was “clear evidence” implicating the South’s military. North Korea released blurry images of what it claimed were drones and leaflets, but these claims could not be independently verified.
Initially, South Korea denied any drone incursions, but its Joint Chiefs of Staff later stated they could neither confirm nor deny the allegations. Some speculated that the drones might have been operated by activists who have previously used balloons to send materials to the North. Park Sang-hak, leader of the Free North Korea Movement Coalition, denied any involvement.
On Monday, Kim Jong Un met with top military and security officials to set the “direction of immediate military action” and focus on “self-defense.” Shortly thereafter, North Korea detonated explosives on the symbolic Gyeongui and Donghae roads, sending a message that it was not interested in negotiations with the South.
Following the explosions, South Korea fired weapons near the border as a show of force and increased surveillance of the North. The Gyeonggi Province government, which surrounds Seoul, then designated 11 border areas as “danger zones” to prevent people from sending leaflets across the border, citing the risk of military conflict.
Analysts suggest that North Korea is using the incident to rally internal support by portraying external threats. The regime has shifted its language from “compatriots” and “unification” to terms like “separate states,” emphasizing a division with the South.
The recent exchanges indicate that both Koreas are locked in a standoff, with neither side willing to compromise. While experts doubt the situation will escalate to full-scale war, they see North Korea using military confrontation to consolidate domestic loyalty. Analysts also believe that despite the tensions, the actual use of nuclear weapons is unlikely.
The Korean peninsula remains technically at war since no peace treaty was signed when the Korean War ended in 1953. Kim Jong Un has moved away from the North’s previous goal of reunification with the South, while strengthening ties with Russia and maintaining close relations with China. Amid rising tensions, China has called for all parties to avoid further conflict, especially as the U.S. presidential election approaches.
