Army Chief of Staff Kim Kyu-ha declared on October 17 that the military would deploy drones to North Korea if deemed necessary.
During a National Assembly audit of military courts, Kim responded to a query from Representative Shin Dong-wook of the People Power Party regarding future drone operations targeting North Korea. The Army Chief stated that they have contingency plans for various provocations, both in wartime and peacetime, and it must act in accordance with these strategies.
Intelligence reports suggest that South Korean forces dispatched unmanned aerial vehicles to Pyongyang last October and November to distribute leaflets. The governing coalition, including the Democratic Party and its allies, has accused former President Yoon Suk Yeol of violating the National Security Act by allegedly sending drones to provoke a North Korean attack, potentially to justify the declaration of martial law.
Responding to concerns that sending drones to North Korea could be construed as treason, Kim clarified that this is distinct from our training operations. He added that the Pyongyang drone incident is under investigation because it appears to have deviated from legal and legitimate protocols.
Kim elaborated on the military’s drone deployment policy, stating that any decision to send drones to North Korea would be based on established protocols and plans, typically in response to damage inflicted or provocations by North Korea. He emphasized that the Pyongyang drone incident fell outside these standard operating procedures.
Addressing concerns about a potentially dangerous culture of disobedience, Kim reassured that in his interactions with troops, he’s found this is not a significant issue. He affirmed that it is fundamental that those in command positions issue orders grounded in legitimacy.