North Korea Accuses US and South Korea of Espionage Near Peninsula

North Korea Accuses US and South Korea of Espionage
Date: Sun 26 May 2024
North Korea has leveled accusations against the United States and South Korea for conducting espionage activities around the Korean Peninsula throughout May. The North’s official news agency, KCNA, conveyed a stern warning from the North Korean government about taking “immediate actions” should there be any infringement upon its sovereignty.
Deputy Defense Minister Kim Jang Il highlighted that between May 13 and May 24, the US deployed over 16 strategic reconnaissance aircraft near the Peninsula, including RC-135s, U-2S planes, and an RQ-4B drone. These aircraft allegedly carried out espionage over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, with Kim stating the level of espionage during these 12 days surpassed that of wartime conditions.
Kim criticized the espionage and military maneuvers for exacerbating regional military tensions and condemned South Korea’s naval activities for violating North Korean maritime boundaries. He warned of Pyongyang’s right to self-defense against continued intrusions, including potential actions on or under water.
Additionally, Kim denounced South Korea’s use of balloons to send anti-regime messages into the North as a “serious provocation” and hinted at a possible “response.”
The accusations come hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Seoul for bilateral talks, leading to a trilateral summit. This meeting, the first of its kind since December 2019, aims to address issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and historical disputes between Seoul and Tokyo.