North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s influential sister, Kim Yo-jong, has raised the stakes by alleging that Pyongyang successfully fended off a US spy plane that ventured into nearby waters on Monday. With a stern warning of “shocking” consequences, Kim Yo-jong cautioned against the United States continuing its reconnaissance missions in the area. The United States and South Korea, however, were quick to dismiss the North’s allegations and called for restraint to prevent any further escalation of tensions.
The recent statement by Kim Yo-jong comes in the wake of heightened animosity following North Korea’s series of missile tests earlier this year. While North Korea has previously issued similar threats regarding alleged US reconnaissance activities, the latest assertion by Kim Yo-jong carries significant weight due to her prominent role in the country’s foreign policy apparatus.
According to Kim Yo-jong’s statement, the US spy plane entered North Korea’s exclusive economic zone in the east on multiple occasions on Monday. North Korea responded by scrambling its own warplanes to chase away the intruder. Kim Yo-jong further warned that a potentially “shocking incident” could occur in the 20-40 kilometer stretch of airspace where US spy planes frequently intrude upon North Korea’s economic water zone.
However, the US Defense Department and State Department dismissed North Korea’s claims as baseless. Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon press secretary, labeled the accusations as mere “allegations” and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to operate within the bounds of international law, alongside its allies and partners. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, called upon North Korea to refrain from engaging in escalatory actions and instead urged the regime to pursue serious diplomatic channels.
South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff echoed the US position, refuting North Korea’s assertions. Lee Sung-joon, spokesperson for the joint chiefs of staff, clarified that no US spy plane had violated North Korean territory. He explained that the United States was carrying out routine reconnaissance activities in coordination with South Korea’s military.
Nevertheless, Kim Yo-jong issued a subsequent statement on Tuesday, expressing concern that intensified US reconnaissance activities were encroaching upon North Korea’s sovereignty. She warned that US forces would face a “very critical flight” if such activities persisted, raising apprehensions about potential further escalations in the already volatile region.