Russia Calls on South Korea to Avoid Provocations Amid North Korea’s Drone Allegations

SEOUL: Russia has urged South Korea to stop further provocations following allegations by North Korea that Seoul had deployed unmanned drones over Pyongyang. According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea accused South Korea last Friday of sending drones carrying anti-North propaganda leaflets over its capital on October 3, and again on subsequent days last week. South Korea's Defense Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, stated that he could not confirm the allegations made by the North. Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry, emphasized the need for South Korea to take North Korea's warnings seriously and to halt their actions, which she described as reckless and provocative. "The South Korean authorities should take Pyongyang's warnings very seriously and cease further escalation on the peninsula through their reckless and provocative campaign, which exacerbates tension and could lead to actual armed confrontations," Zakharova stated. She further criticized the actions as a violation of North K orea's sovereignty and interference in its internal affairs. Zakharova elaborated that Seoul's propagation of a merger concept between the two Koreas through the imposition of pseudo-liberal values poses a security risk. The Russian statement coincides with President Vladimir Putin's submission of a draft federal law for the ratification of the North Korea-Russia treaty. In light of these developments, the South Korean government expressed its regret over the Russian foreign ministry's support for what it considers baseless claims by North Korea. Tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea's Kim Yo-jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong-un, issuing stern warnings against South Korea's alleged actions. She accused the South Korean military of infiltrating Pyongyang with drones, although no evidence was provided to support her claims. South Korea's defense ministry has responded firmly to the North's military threats, warning that any harm caused to South Korean citizens could result in the e nd of the North Korean regime. Meanwhile, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff have reiterated that they cannot confirm the truth behind North Korea's drone allegations.