South Korea: warning shots after the first incursion of North Korean drones in five years

South Korean army armor in May 2022 (Illustration image © Ahn Young-joon/AP

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Last episode of tensions on the Korean peninsula, South Korea accuses North Korea of ​​air incursion.

Several drones suspected of being North Korean would have crossed the border and would have entered the airspace of South Korea, Monday, December 26, provoking a reaction from Seoul. 

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With our correspondent in Seoul

,

Nicolas Rocca

Five North Korean drones flying over the surroundings of Seoul, one even wandering in the north of the capital.

A seemingly surreal scene, but very real according to the South Korean authorities.

On Monday morning, South Korea's military sent out warning messages, fired a hundred rounds and deployed fighter jets and helicopters, but failed to shoot down any of the aircraft.

It is unclear whether they were equipped with weapons or cameras.

Flights suspended at Seoul airport

At the request of the army, flights from the two airports in the South Korean capital have been suspended for about an hour.

And then Seoul announced that it had responded by sending its own drones to North Korea in order to photograph military installations.

If the information is confirmed, this is the first time since 2017 that North Korean drones have been detected on the other side of the border.

North Korea would have about 300 aircraft, quite old, but still considered a threat by South Korea.

Dress rehearsal of an invasion

After the two

ballistic missile launches on

Friday, the tension does not go down on the peninsula.

Since last spring, North Korea has been firing missiles while the United States and South Korea have increased military exercises.

Legitimate defensive training according to Seoul and Washington, experienced by Pyongyang as the dress rehearsal for an invasion.

►Also read: 

"The alliance between the United States and South Korea goes beyond the North Korean threat"

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