North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister, Kim Son-gyong, expressed deep displeasure and rejected UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for dialogue after North Korea blew up roads and rail lines on its side of the border. Kim stated that the destruction of infrastructure within North Korea falls under their sovereign right and should not be interfered with. He called on Guterres to denounce South Korea’s alleged drone infringements on North Korean airspace, warning that such actions could ignite a war.
Pyongyang accused Seoul of sending drones with propaganda leaflets earlier in the month and warned of immediate retaliation if further violations occur. North Korea claimed to have discovered remains of a South Korean drone, similar to ones displayed during South Korea’s Armed Forces Day. The tension between the two countries remains high, with North Korea cautioning against any provocative actions by the South.