Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, released a statement on Tuesday cautioning the United States about a potential “very critical flight” caused by alleged intrusions by spy planes. The statement was accompanied by a photo taken by Jorge Silva/EPA-EFE.
SEOUL, July 11 (UPI) — In a display of her authoritative position, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, reiterated on Tuesday previous accusations against the United States for their spy planes trespassing into North Korean territory. She raised concerns of a “very critical flight” if these unauthorized intrusions continue.
The statement, published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, signifies an ongoing dispute regarding the alleged reconnaissance flights.
On Monday night, Kim claimed that a U.S. spy plane had repeatedly flown over the North’s exclusive economic zone before being pursued and chased away by North Korean warplanes. She then warned in her statement that a “shocking incident would occur” if the United States persists in their reconnaissance activities in the area.
Earlier that same day, a spokesperson from the North Korean Defense Ministry accused Washington of engaging in “provocative aerial espionage” during the initial week of July and threatened to shoot down American aircraft.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff refuted all allegations made by the North.
In a message directed towards reporters on Tuesday, the JCS expressed their belief that North Korea was deliberately attempting to escalate tension through their words and actions. The JCS urged North Korea to drop the issue and stated that they should be held responsible for any consequences resulting from their actions that interfere with the regular flight activities of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
The Pentagon dismissed the North’s claims as mere accusations.
“The United States, as always, remains committed to safely and responsibly flying, sailing, operating anywhere that international law allows and alongside our allies and partners,” emphasized Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh during a press briefing on Monday.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also called on the North to avoid actions that may escalate tensions and encouraged them to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy.
In her statement on Tuesday, Kim Yo Jong asserted that the U.S. reconnaissance plane had flown over the North’s exclusive economic zone waters on eight different occasions between 5:15 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. the previous day. She warned that if these illegal intrusions continue, the U.S. forces will face a very critical situation.
Furthermore, she cautioned the “military gangsters of the ‘ROK'” to cease their impudent actions and refrain from further comments.
It is important to note that the official name of South Korea is the Republic of Korea (ROK).
This exchange of heated rhetoric occurs amidst an ongoing period of military tension on the Korean Peninsula, characterized by North Korea conducting multiple weapons tests and the United States and South Korea intensifying their joint military exercises.
Recently, Pyongyang attempted to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite as a response to what they perceive as the “undisguised military threat” posed by U.S. and South Korean forces.
However, the rocket carrying the satellite failed just after launch on May 31 due to a second-stage engine malfunction, crashing into the Yellow Sea.
Last week, the allies conducted a joint air drill involving at least one U.S. B-52H strategic bomber, and in June, a U.S. nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine made a port call in Busan, marking the first visit of its kind in six years.
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