In a threatening statement, Kim Jong-un’s sister warned that any provocation by Seoul will result in a horrible disaster, as North Korean military orders frontline artillery units to be fully prepared to open fire on South Korea. Allegedly, drones from the South dropped propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang, prompting the military response.
With more than 10,000 artillery pieces along the border, North Korea poses a significant threat to South Korean population centers, as estimated in a 2020 report by the RAND Corporation. Kim Yo-jong condemned the leaflet-scattering as a politically-motivated provocation, warning of dire consequences if South Korean drones are detected again.
The drone incident follows North Korea’s testing of a new ballistic missile variant with a massive warhead, coinciding with joint military exercises between the US and South Korea. Tensions are high as both sides engage in provocative actions, with South Korea denying the drone allegations initially. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for a catastrophic outcome if hostilities escalate.