South Korea Warns North Korea of "End of Regime" if It Harms Civilians
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated on Sunday as South Korea issued a stern warning to North Korea, stating that any harm inflicted on its people would result in the "end of the North Korean regime." The defense ministry’s response came after Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, threatened a "horrible disaster" in retaliation for alleged South Korean drone flights over Pyongyang.
Escalating Accusations over Drones and Retaliation Threats
North Korea has accused South Korea of flying unmanned drones over its capital on three occasions this month, claiming the drones were carrying anti-Pyongyang materials. Kim Yo-jong, in a statement published by North Korean state media, warned that "the attack time can come at any moment" if such incidents occur again. She added, “The moment a drone of the ROK is found over Pyongyang will certainly lead to disaster.”
In response, the South Korean defense ministry called Kim Yo-jong’s statement "hypocritical" and accused North Korea of engaging in provocations, including floating trash-filled balloons into South Korea. The ministry also criticized the North for attempting to deflect blame for its internal challenges, such as the failure of recent military satellite launches.
South Korea’s Response and Military Readiness
South Korea denied sending drones over North Korea, with Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun initially rejecting the allegations. However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff later said they could not confirm the North’s claims. South Korean authorities framed North Korea's reaction as an effort to stir internal discord within the South, referring to the accusations as a "typical ploy" to incite conflict among citizens.
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) reaffirmed the country’s military preparedness. PPP spokesperson Han Zeea emphasized South Korea’s “overwhelming military capability” and its reliance on its alliance with the United States in case of further provocations from Pyongyang.
North Korea’s Propaganda Offensive
Meanwhile, North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper featured front-page articles expressing public anger over the alleged drone flights, branding South Korea as "puppet trash" and "rats." Citizens reportedly called for "merciless revenge" and threatened to "turn the enemy's stronghold into a sea of fire." This public airing of grievances is seen as a rare attempt by North Korean authorities to rally domestic support by amplifying anti-South sentiment.
Analysts view these statements as a strategic move to justify abandoning the unification policy and reframe the two Koreas as hostile states, reinforcing the regime’s narrative of self-preservation.
The latest exchange of threats comes amid an already fragile geopolitical environment. The South Korean defense ministry pointed out that North Korean aircraft and drones have violated South Korean airspace more than ten times since 2022, underscoring the complex security challenges in the region.
With no immediate resolution in sight, the rising rhetoric between the two nations highlights the persistent tension on the Korean Peninsula and the potential for escalation if further provocations unfold.
