South Korean unification minister Chung Dong-young has reported that civilian drones entering North Korean airspace have become a point of contention in inter-Korean relations. Between September 2025 and January 2026, three civilians allegedly piloted drones into North Korea on four separate occasions since the inauguration of President Lee Jae Myung. According to Chung, two of these drones had crashes in North Korean territory, aligning with previous claims by Pyongyang, which raises concerns about surveillance and unauthorized incursions into a highly restricted region.

The activities reported by the minister have prompted inspection efforts by both police and military authorities, who are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding these entries. Notably, during two of the drone flights, the aircraft reportedly returned to the border town of Paju, South Korea, after having flown over the city of Kaesong in North Korea. This course of events adds complexity to the situation, as it highlights a potential breach of the informal agreements that have been put in place to maintain stability along the Korean Peninsula's border.

This revelation comes at a sensitive time for inter-Korean relations, which have been historically strained due to the ongoing tensions surrounding North Korea's military actions and its nuclear program. Any civilian actions that may provoke further escalation or misinterpretation by either government could be detrimental to the fragile peace that has been established through diplomatic engagements in recent years. The South Korean government's swift response indicates the seriousness with which they are treating this matter, as well as their desire to avert any unnecessary conflicts with their northern neighbor.