A suspected drone from North Korea was flying across the DMZ above the military observatory post in South Korea. The South fired warning shots and the unidentified flying object went back. The incident happened just a week after nuclear test by North Korean.
South Korean's Yonhap News Agency reported that a North Korean drone briefly infiltrated the border with South Korea on Wednesday. The object appeared in the sky above the military observatory post in the western part of the border at 2:10 p.m.
During such short encounter, South Korean military fired some 20 machine gun shots. The drone returned to the northern side of the border following the warning shots.
In regards to the incident, South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff in an official statement said, "The military responded with warning broadcasts and shots before the vehicle immediately returned to the North."
The incident took place after North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear weapon test on November 6 at Punggye-ri testing site, the same location as three previous nuclear tests, which is close to Chinese border. The nuclear test created an earthquake that was felt at Jilin province in northeast of China at 6.7 on richter scale. Local schools and offices were evacuated because of the tremor.
China, the North Korean ally, was furious because the nuclear test was conducted at the time Chinese economy was under pressure, after its financial market experienced a sudden trading halt. Soon after, high ranking officials in China was in contact with South Korean counterparts to disarm North Korean nuclear weapon.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye said, according to Asia Times, Seoul and Beijing were discussing a draft U.N. Security Council resolution on North Korea, noting that Beijing has stated repeatedly that it would not tolerate the North's nuclear program. The president also said further provocations by the North including "cyber-terrorism" were possible.
"I believe the Chinese government will not allow the situation on the Korean peninsula to deteriorate further. The best partners are those that will hold your hand in difficult times," president Park Geun-hye said as quoted by Voice of America. "Holding the hands of someone in a difficult situation is the mark of the best partner."
South Korea responded the nuclear test by resuming its loudspeaker broadcasts along the border. The loudspeaker also played songs from latest K-Pop top hits, including the new single from boy band Big Bang, and old pop song from South Korean veteran singer about a long life. The sound loudspeaker is said to be able to reach 10 kilometer (6.2 miles) during day time and twice further at night.
The suspected drone flying into South Korea is a clear indication of a provocation from North, as president Park stated.
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