The North Korean military claimed Friday (August 18th) to have taken off fighter jets in response to what it described as the "intrusion" the day before of a US spy plane in its airspace. The U.S. aircraft flew off a North Korean economic zone in the east of the country on Thursday morning, a military spokesman said in a statement carried by North Korea's KCNA news agency.
The military "quickly ordered" its fighter jets to "make an emergency exit in the direction of the airspace subject to intrusion by the American strategic reconnaissance aircraft and to remain on alert," the statement said.
A 'dangerous military provocation'
The spokesman referred to a "dangerous military provocation" and warned that the North Korean military "would not hesitate to take all countermeasures to defend the sovereignty" of the country.
Last month, North Korea threatened to shoot down U.S. surveillance planes that violated its airspace, accusing Washington of "intensified espionage activities," exceeding what would be done "in wartime."
This new incident comes as the leaders of the United States, Japan and South Korea are meeting at a summit at Camp David. They must agree on a multi-year military exercise plan and commit to consulting during times of crisis, said Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser.