JAKARTA - South Korean (South Korea) joint investigators on Tuesday raided a number of locations, including the headquarters of the intelligence agency, while investigating the possibility of government involvement in airspace violations by drones on the North Korean border.
Pyongyang said it had shot down a surveillance drone near the Kaesong industrial complex in January, accusing Seoul of sending the aircraft to gather intelligence on "important targets."
The joint military-police task force said on Tuesday it was investigating three active-duty soldiers and one intelligence agency staffer in an effort to "establish the full truth."
Investigators raided 18 locations of interest, including the Defense Intelligence Command and the National Intelligence Service, Al Arabiya reported from AFP (10/2).
The North Korean military shot down a drone carrying "surveillance equipment" in early January, according to a statement published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
The photos show the debris of the drone scattered on the ground next to a collection of gray and blue components that are suspected to include cameras.
The drone had stored footage of "important targets" including border areas, a military spokesman said in the statement.
South Korea initially denied any official involvement, with President Lee Jae Myung saying the move was tantamount to "shooting at North Korea."
President Lee has taken a softer approach to North Korea than his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, who was accused of using an unmanned drone to spread propaganda leaflets in North Korea in 2024.
He has promised to improve relations with North Korea by rooting out provocations, hinting that a rare apology may be needed.
"I feel I should apologize, but I hesitate to say it out loud," he said in December.
"I'm concerned that if I do, it could be used as fuel for an ideological battle or a pro-North Korea accusation," he added.
Meanwhile, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has hinted that the drone attack in January may have involved government officials still loyal to former hardline leader Yoon.
Three civilians have been charged over their alleged roles in the drone scandal.
One of them has publicly admitted responsibility, saying he acted to detect radiation levels from North Korea's Pyongsan uranium processing facility.
Separately, former president Yoon is currently on trial on charges of illegally sending a drone to North Korea to help create a pretext to declare a state of military emergency by the end of 2024.
Prosecutors have accused Yoon of instructing Seoul's military to fly drones over Pyongyang and distribute anti-North Korean leaflets in an effort to provoke a response.
They said Yoon and others "conspired to create conditions" that would allow him to tighten his grip on power by declaring a state of emergency.
Yoon's failed attempt to overthrow the civilian government will eventually fail. He was impeached and removed from office in April last year and will be sentenced on charges of rebellion next week.
In response to the spread of propaganda, North Korea in 2024 sent a number of balloons containing garbage to spread garbage throughout South Korea.
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