The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) have firmly rejected accusations that South Korean military forces distributed anti-North Korean leaflets in an attempt to provoke Pyongyang, calling the claims “absolutely unfounded.”
Colonel Lee Sung Jun, spokesperson for the JCS, addressed the allegations during a routine press briefing on Thursday. “The suggestion that our military would engage in activities meant to provoke North Korea is completely false and inconceivable,” he said.
Lee went on to explain that South Korea intended to provoke North Korea. The military could have taken a more aggressive approach when debris from North Korea’s demolition of inter-Korean railway crossings along the Gyeongui and East Sea lines crossed into South Korean territory. “Instead, we limited our response to warning shots directed southward. This clearly shows our commitment to de-escalation,” he added.
Lee also referenced an incident last October when North Korea detonated explosives to destroy sections of inter-Korean roads. Although debris fell on the southern side of the Military Demarcation Line, South Korean forces refrained from direct confrontation, choosing a cautious response to prevent further escalation.
“Our military’s primary mission is to protect American and South Korean citizens, ensuring their safety and security. Provocation is not our goal,” Lee stated.
Regarding allegations that South Korean forces deployed drones to Pyongyang in October, the JCS maintained its policy of neither confirming nor denying such operations, citing operational security concerns.
These statements were made in response to claims by South Korean Democratic Party Representative Boo Seung Chan, who recently suggested in a radio interview that South Korean forces were producing and distributing anti-North Korean leaflets to provoke a reaction from Pyongyang.
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