south Korean Military Reportedly Deployed Drones to North Korea Ahead of Martial Law Declaration; Kim Jong-un‘s Residence Targeted
In the lead-up to the declaration of emergency martial law in October and November of last year, South Korea‘s military allegedly dispatched at least seven drones into North Korean airspace. These operations, according to a four-star general and Democratic Party chief commissioner, Kim Byung-ju, were confirmed by multiple military officials. The primary objective of these drone missions,as stated by Kim,was to target the residence and office of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Reporter Kim Sang-hoon has the details.
Kim Byung-ju stated that the drone operations were commanded by the military’s drone subordinate unit. The specific dates and times of these missions were also reportedly provided by various military sources. On October 3rd of last year, at 2 AM, two drones were sent from Baeknyeong-do towards Pyongyang. the designated target coordinates, identified as “No. 15,” are believed to encompass Kim Jong-un’s residence and office, the Labor Party’s No. 1 office, and the Ministry of foreign Affairs. These locations are considered core facilities within North Korea and are closely associated with Kim Jong-un.
Kim Byung-ju commented on the strategic implications of these missions, drawing a parallel to South Korean political districts: “If you talk to us, you should see it as Hannam-dong and Yongsan area. Is it stimulating the heart of North Korea to induce us a response provocation?”
Five days later, on October 8th, four drones were again dispatched from Baeknyeong-do, with one reportedly crashing in Pyongyang, again targeting the “No. 15 Gwan Residence.” North Korea had previously claimed to have intercepted drones on the 3rd and 9th of October, releasing footage of a crashed drone. State television in North Korea at the time described the incident as “a serious military attack that must be paid.” The flight path of these drones from Baeknyeong-do to Pyongyang, as confirmed by Kim Byung-ju’s sources, reportedly mirrored the route North Korea had publicized.
On November 13th,the South Korean military reportedly sent an additional drone near Nampo,a location known for its naval bases. Kim Byung-ju noted that in the Nampo area, where military facilities were concentrated, the drones were ordered to lower their altitude to 800 meters, a maneuver he suggested was intended to make them clearly visible and possibly shootable.
The timing of these drone deployments has been linked to domestic political events in South Korea.In early October,public attention was focused on the “Diorbag” incident involving Kim Kun-hee,wife of the President,and allegations of stock manipulation related to Deutsche Motors. By November 13th, the focus had shifted to suspicions surrounding Myeong Tae-gyun.
This report was filed by Kim Sang-hoon of MBC News.
