Pyongyang has warned that any further intrusion would be considered an act of war, demanding immediate and forceful retaliation.

The tension between the two Koreas has been intensifying since May, when North Korea began sending balloons filled with garbage across the border, prompting South Korea to restart its loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts. Recently, North Korea accused South Korea of sending drones over Pyongyang on three separate occasions this month, heightening the stakes in the ongoing conflict.

According to North Korean state news agency KCNA, a crashed South Korean military drone was found within North Korean territory. Yu Yong-weon, a South Korean lawmaker, confirmed to Reuters that the drones in the images provided by North Korea appeared to be surveillance models made by Sungwoo Engineering, supplied to the South Korean military in 2023.

KCNA emphasized that any violation of North Korea's territorial ground, air, or waters by South Korean military means would be seen as a grave provocation against North Korean sovereignty. The agency warned that such actions would lead to a declaration of war and immediate retaliatory attacks.

In response, South Korea’s Defense Ministry dismissed Pyongyang's claims as unworthy of verification or response. The ministry suggested that commenting on North Korea's allegations would play into what they termed as a ploy by the North. Seoul has not clarified whether the purported drones were flown by its military or civilians.

Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated threats to use nuclear weapons in potential conflicts with South Korea and the United States. He accused both countries of strengthening their military alliance, highlighted by the South Korea-U.S. deterrence guideline signed in July. This guideline aims to integrate South Korean conventional capabilities with U.S. nuclear assets to counter North Korean threats.

The United States maintains a military presence of approximately 28,500 soldiers in South Korea. A report by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs shared with Newsweek revealed that 51 percent of Americans support using U.S. military forces to defend South Korea in the event of a North Korean invasion. Additionally, 43 percent of Americans are open to recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state and engaging in arms control discussions with its leadership.