(2nd LD) N. Korea says S. Korea sent unmanned drones over Pyongyang

North Korea said Friday that South Korea has sent unmanned drones over Pyongyang three times since last week, calling the move a military provocation and a violation of its sovereignty. In a message delivered through the Korean Central News Agency, the North's foreign ministry claimed South Korea sent unmanned drones carrying leaflets over Pyongyang on Oct. 3, as well as on Wednesday and Thursday this week. "(The move) is a blatant infringement of the sacred national sovereignty and safety, and a violent violation of international law," the North's ministry said, calling for South Korea to immediately end its "dangerous provocation" that could lead to "an armed conflict that could even escalate into war." This image, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 11, 2024, shows a purported drone (in large circle) and a pack of leaflets (in small circle) that Pyongyang claims were sent by South Korea. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) This image, r eleased by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 11, 2024, shows a purported drone (in large circle) and a pack of leaflets (in small circle) that Pyongyang claims were sent by South Korea. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, however, said South Korea has not sent a drone to North Korea. "We have not done that. I am not aware of the situation," Kim said during a parliamentary audit, when asked by lawmakers on the news report. The Joint Chiefs of Staff also echoed the view, noting it will check whether the leaflets were sent by private organizations. North Korea has launched thousands of trash balloons since late May in what it has described as a "tit-for-tat" move against anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent across the border by activists and North Korean defectors in South Korea. Source: Yonhap News Agency