S.Korea's 2 former presidential staff members under probe for alleged drones crossing into N.Korea: Report

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Two civilians who reportedly manufactured and operated drones that allegedly violated North Korean airspace previously worked at the presidential office during the administration of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap News reported on Sunday.

One man in his 30s, accused of producing the drones, reportedly worked in news monitoring at the presidential spokesperson’s office under the Yoon administration, while the second civilian, also in his 30s and claiming to have operated the drones, held a position at the presidential office during the same period, the report said.

On Friday, a joint military-police investigation team, which is probing North Korea’s claims of South Korean drone incursions, said it had questioned one suspect. However, the team did not provide further details about the individual, it added.

Some figures in the ruling party suspected that the two may have coordinated the drone flights to provoke a North Korean response. The alleged drone operator, however, has maintained that the other suspect merely built the drone at his request, the report also said.

Last week, South Korean President Lee ordered an investigation into the alleged drone incursion after Pyongyang accused Seoul of two separate drone violations, one in January and another in September.

Later, the South Korean military denied North Korea’s claims, stating that the drones in question were not operated by the military.

Accusations by Pyongyang came a few days after Lee had sought Chinese mediation with North Korea.

Lee has sought to restore ties with Pyongyang since June, but North Korea has not responded.