Pyongyang [North Korea], May 26: The Ministry of Defense of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea accused the US and South Korea of stepping up reconnaissance activities around the inter-Korean line, and warned that it would take action if national sovereignty and security were violated.
On May 26, Deputy Minister of Defense Kim Gang-il said the US deployed at least 16 RC-135 and U-2S strategic reconnaissance aircraft and RQ-4B drones over the Korean peninsula from May 13 to 14.
Deputy Minister Kim also accused the Korean Navy and Coast Guard of causing military tensions by stepping up patrol activities and increasing violations of maritime boundaries.
According to Mr. Kim, the act of releasing balloons carrying leaflets from South Korea into North Korea is a dangerous provocation. Balloons often carry documents with anti-Pyongyang content, as well as food, medicine, money, mini radio stations, and USB sticks containing news and Korean dramas.
"Even now, the US and South Korean air forces continue to mobilize a variety of aircraft with almost non-stop frequency throughout the day, stepping up aerial reconnaissance to a comparable level. during the war period," KCNA Radio quoted Deputy Minister Kim as saying.
He accused the above activities of seriously violating North Korea's sovereignty and national security, and will be responded to.
"We will take immediate action when our sovereignty and security interests are violated," he added.
The US and South Korea have not commented on the above information.
Meanwhile, Flightradar24 website recorded an activity of a US Air Force RC-135U surveillance aircraft on May 23. The plane left Kadena Air Base in Japan on the morning of May 23, traveled for about 90 minutes in Korean airspace, just south of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and returned to the base about 6 hours later.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper