South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Thursday (December 29th) that his country must strengthen its ability to respond to aerial incursions after Seoul's failure on Monday to shoot down five North Korean drones that crossed its border.
This incursion of drones, one of which flew near the South Korean capital, led the Seoul army to deploy fighter jets and attack helicopters.
Despite five hours of operation, the military failed to shoot down the North Korean drones, which prompted widespread criticism and apologies from the army.
“Intolerable” accident
Yoon Suk-yeol said on Thursday that the incident was "
intolerable
", adding that Seoul should ensure that Pyongyang "
realizes that provocations always have severe consequences
".
"
In order for us to achieve peace, we must make vastly superior preparations for war
," he said during a visit to the State Defense Development Agency.
“
The global response system against all flying objects invading our airspace, in addition to drones, must be reviewed to quickly address deficiencies.
Earlier this week, Yoon Suk-yeol criticized the military's handling of the incident, ordering the acceleration of a plan to create a drone unit that would include advanced stealth gear to monitor key facilities. Pyongyang military.
Read alsoNorth Korea: Kim Jong-un sets new military objectives
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Thursday it would hold drone drills.
The foray into South Korean airspace, the first in five years, came after a series of Pyongyang weapons tests carried out despite international sanctions.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this year he wanted his country to have the most powerful nuclear force in the world and called
its status as a holder of nuclear weapons "
irreversible ".
But North Korea's atomic weapons will not change Seoul's responses to future Pyongyang provocations, Yoon Suk-yeol said.
“
Regardless of whether the adversary has nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction, we must send a clear message to those who (engage in) provocations.
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