By Trendsetter Tribune 
In a rare moment of diplomatic acknowledgment, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, characterized South Korea’s recent expression of regret over alleged drone incursions as “sensible behavior.” However, the praise was accompanied by a severe warning: any future flights will be met with a “terrible response” that goes “beyond proportionality.”
The statement, released on Friday, February 13, 2026, follows a significant shift in tone from the South Korean government under President Lee Jae-myung, whose liberal administration is actively seeking to de-escalate tensions and resume dialogue with Pyongyang.
The Catalyst: Minister Chung’s Apology
On Tuesday, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young delivered a speech at Myeongdong Cathedral where he expressed “deep regret” for recent drone flights into the North.
- The Incursions: Pyongyang claims surveillance drones entered its airspace in September 2025 and again on January 4, 2026.
- The Policy Shift: Unlike the previous administration, which often met North Korean claims with silence or denial, Minister Chung called the flights “reckless and very dangerous acts” that could trigger a war.
- The Goal: Chung emphasized that Seoul seeks “mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence,” a cornerstone of the Lee administration’s foreign policy.
The Warning: “Counterattack Plans are on the Table”
While Kim Yo Jong noted the “fortunate” change in Seoul’s attitude, she made it clear that words alone would not suffice.
“I give advance warning that reoccurrence of such provocation… will surely provoke a terrible response,” she stated via the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
She emphasized that North Korea holds the South Korean government responsible for any drone originating from its territory, regardless of whether it was operated by the military, a civilian group, or an individual. Kim claimed that “various counterattack plans” have already been drafted and are ready for execution if another violation occurs.
Widening Investigation: Military and Spy Agency Raids
As Kim Yo Jong issued her warning, South Korean authorities intensified their probe into the origins of the January drone. What began as an investigation into “civilian flights” has recently expanded into the heart of the South Korean defense establishment.
| Entity Targeted | Action Taken (Feb 11-12, 2026) |
| Defense Intelligence Command | Raided by a joint military-police task force; offices and residences searched. |
| National Intelligence Service (NIS) | Warrants executed at 18 locations; one Grade 8 employee booked. |
| Civilians & Military Personnel | Six people have been booked so far, including three active-duty officers and a civilian graduate student identified as “Oh.” |
The Conflict: Investigators are looking into whether a colonel within the Defense Intelligence Command directed covert operations using civilian contractors—a move that would directly contradict President Lee Jae-myung’s stated policy of non-provocation.
Looking Ahead: The Ninth Party Congress
Analysts believe North Korea’s focus on the drone issue is strategically timed. The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea is scheduled to convene in Pyongyang in late February 2026.
During this rare and critical gathering, Kim Jong Un is expected to formally institutionalize his “two hostile states” theory, potentially amending the national constitution to define South Korea as a separate, enemy nation rather than a partner for reunification.