On Monday, North Korea issued a warning stating that its military might take action to shoot down U.S. Air Force planes, alleging multiple instances of “illegal” intrusion into its airspace by the United States.
A spokesperson for North Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said, “Provocative military actions by the United States were bringing the Korean peninsula closer to a nuclear conflict. There is no guarantee that such a shocking accident as the downing of the U.S. Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen.”
Furthermore, the representative emphasized that the nation has been exercising “patience and self-control,” but it is now nearing its threshold.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of Kim Jong Un, directly accused the United States of conducting surveillance flights with spy planes over North Korea’s exclusive economic zone. This zone spans 200 nautical miles from the country’s territory and grants North Korea the right to exploit natural resources within that area.
According to Kim’s statement, a spy plane allegedly crossed the eastern sea boundary separating North and South Korea at approximately 5 a.m. on Monday. North Korean warplanes were said to have pursued and driven it away.
Kim further asserted that the United States violated the eastern sea boundary again at 8:50 a.m., prompting a “strong warning” from North Korea to the United States.
Contrarily, South Korea’s military informed Reuters that the North’s allegations of the United States trespassing into North Korean airspace are unfounded. They stated that the United States frequently carries out reconnaissance flights in the region.
In response, Kim criticized South Korea’s Chiefs of Staff, accusing them of acting as a mere “spokesperson” for the U.S. military. She expressed concern that the West has been encroaching upon North Korea’s sovereignty and jeopardizing its safety.
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, called upon North Korea to avoid engaging in actions that could escalate tensions. He also urged the nation to participate in meaningful and continuous diplomatic efforts.
Miller stated that Washington was willing to engage in dialogue with North Korea without any preconditions. However, North Korea declined the offer.
The US urged #NorthKorea to engage in dialogue after Pyongyang warned that it may shoot down a US Air Force reconnaissance plane for allegedly intruding into its airspace.
The #Pentagon and denied North Korea’s claims that the US intruded in its airspace. https://t.co/wM0fpvjSj6
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) July 11, 2023
