Government expresses regret to Russia for sympathizing with 'North Korean drone claim'

The South Korean government expressed regret over Russia's sympathy with North Korea's claim that South Korean drones violated Pyongyang, citing violations of its sovereignty.

The ministry said in a press briefing that it deeply regrets the Russian foreign ministry's alleged violation of its sovereignty and interference in the country's internal affairs, defending the North's unilateral claims, which have not even been confirmed to be true.

He also urged Russia to explain why it did not take any action in the past in the event of several drone provocations against the South that were confirmed to have been committed by North Korea, saying, "All responsibility lies with North Korea, threatening its relatives with nuclear weapons and not hesitating to speak aggressively."

He stressed that if Russia wants to play a constructive role in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, it should refrain from North Korea's unilateral and intentional acts of escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula and persuade it to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy proposed by us.

Earlier on the 14th local time, the Russian Foreign Ministry agreed with North Korea's claim that a South Korean drone broke into the sky over Pyongyang and distributed leaflets to the North, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and interference in domestic affairs.