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South Korean military during an exercise (archive image): »Lack of readiness«
Photo: Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images
Can South Korea protect its airspace?
Some observers doubt this because of a recent incident.
When North Korea flew five drones into South Korean airspace on Monday, the anti-aircraft defense was unable to shoot down a single one.
It is the first incident of this kind since 2017. The military apologizes, the president criticizes the poor equipment - and wants to react.
"It is unfortunate that we were unable to shoot down enemy drones in a timely and efficient manner without jeopardizing the safety of the public," said Kang Shin-chul, a senior member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Our military's unreadiness has caused great concern among the public .«
At three meters in size, the drones were too small to be intercepted by South Korean fighter jets and helicopter gunships.
The military fired warning shots and about 100 rounds from a machine-gun-equipped helicopter, sources said.
However, none of the drones were brought down.
The drones flew over several South Korean cities, including the capital Seoul, for about five hours.
Defense against drones should be improved in the future, said Kang Shin-chul.
South Korea plans new drone unit
President Yoon Suk-yeol said he would promote the creation of a military unit specializing in drones.
"The incident has shown that our military has been inadequately prepared and trained in recent years, and it has clearly confirmed that we need to step up our preparedness and training," Yoon said at a cabinet meeting.
South Korea has experience with drone flights from the north.
In 2017, a North Korean drone - apparently on a spy mission - crashed on a mountain near the border.
Three years earlier, a North Korean drone had been spotted on a South Korean border island.
Both devices were considered immature and were equipped with cameras that mainly showed images of South Korean military installations and border regions.
It is unclear whether the drones that have now been discovered are more advanced.
Relations between South Korea and largely isolated communist North Korea have soured recently as the North has been testing rockets at an unusually high rate and the South's new conservative government has announced a tough stance on the North.
South Korea and its ally the USA have responded to the North Korean missile tests with military maneuvers.
North Korea, in turn, uses this for its propaganda and interprets the exercises as preparation for an invasion.
ptz/Reuters
