Kim Jong Un's Younger Brother Praises South Korea's Promise to Prevent North Korean Airspace Violations by Drones

North Korea (North Korea) praised South Korea's (South Korea) promise to prevent the recurrence of airspace violations by drones, saying Pyongyang would increase vigilance along the border, Pyongyang's state media reported on Thursday.

Kim Yo Jong, sister and aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, "highly appreciated" the official acknowledgement of the airspace violation by the drone by South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong Yong, who expressed "regrets" for the incident, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"Such a foolish act that endangers oneself should not be repeated," Kim Yo Jong said, warning that "horrible consequences" would occur if North Korea's sovereignty was violated again, Kyodo News reported (19/2).

Previously, North Korea in January accused South Korea of flying a reconnaissance drone into its airspace. At that time, North Korea claimed a similar violation occurred in September last year.

At a Wednesday press conference, Chung revealed Seoul had confirmed four violations of North Korean airspace by civilian drones since the start of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's term in June last year.

President Lee has taken steps to ease inter-Korean tensions after the confrontational policy implemented under his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.

As previously reported, the Unification Minister said South Korea would actively seek to reactivate the no-fly zone along its border with North Korea as an effort to partially restore the 2018 inter-Korean military pact that was suspended, in order to prevent the recurrence of violations of territorial boundaries by drones.

Chung said the government would also seek to strengthen sanctions for drone flights without permission in prohibited airspace by revising the Aviation Safety Law, while working with local governments in border areas to ensure the safety of residents there.

"The government views this matter very seriously, and officially expresses its regret to North Korea," he explained, quoted from The Korea Times.

Kim Yo-jong, in a statement released last Friday, called Chung's earlier apology for the alleged drone violation "reasonable" and urged Seoul to ensure "such foolish actions will never be repeated."

The Unification Minister also revealed that the joint military-police investigation has so far confirmed four separate drone attacks by three civilian suspects.

The investigation team was formed after Pyongyang accused South Korean drones of entering its airspace in September last year and again on January 4.

According to the investigation, Chung said, the first incident occurred on September 27, 2025, in Ganghwa County, Incheon, and two more flights occurred on November 16 and 22, with the fourth launch on January 4 this year.

Of the four drones, two - sent in September 2025 and January - fell in North Korean territory. These findings are consistent with incidents previously revealed by Pyongyang, the minister said.

The joint investigation has been expanded to examine the possible involvement of South Korean government officials. On February 10, investigators searched the National Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Command.

"The results of the military and intelligence agencies' search, as well as the complete details of the drone incident, will be revealed to the public after the investigation is completed," the minister said.

The drone incident has complicated President Lee Jae Myung's administration's efforts to revive long-stalled dialogue with Pyongyang, which has so far remained unresponsive.