North Korea threatens to shoot down alleged U.S. ‘spy planes’ in region
Global News
Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, claimed Pyongyang would react to perceived U.S. interference, leading to "shocking" consequences.
The sister of North Korea‘s leader Kim Jong Un said the U.S. would face “shocking” consequences if their military continues alleged reconnaissance around the region.
Kim Yo Jong, a powerful foreign policy official, claimed that Pyongyang’s warplanes successfully repelled a U.S. spy plane that flew over its exclusive economic zone eight times on Monday. The exclusive economic zone around North Korea allows the country to control its own natural resources.
North Korea also threatened to shoot down the U.S. plane.
Kim Yo Jong’s threats came as part of a widespread state media broadcast, The Associated Press reported.
“A shocking incident would occur in the long run in the 20- to 40-kilometre section in which the U.S. spy planes habitually intrude into the sky above the economic water zone,” Kim Yo Jong said in Korean.
Both the U.S. and South Korea have dismissed Kim Yo Jong’s threats as idle. The U.S. has denied flying a spy plane into North Korean territory and said the flightpath was part of standard reconnaissance in coordination with South Korea’s military.
Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary, called the North’s claim on the airspace violation “just 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,” Singh said.