JCS Responds to Seong Iljong's 'Friendly Drone Misidentification' Claim: "Normal Operational Procedures Followed"

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) responded to political claims that the South Korean military nearly issued a 'Durumi' alert after mistakenly identifying a friendly drone as an enemy aircraft, explaining that it was a "pre-approved flight" and "part of normal operational procedures."

People Power Party lawmaker Sung Il-jong, who served as the chairman of the National Defense Committee in the 22nd National Assembly's first half, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly communication office on the 4th, criticizing the mistaken identification of a U.S. military drone by the 1st Army Corps of the Republic of Korea Army. Photo by Yonhap News

Through a text briefing on the 4th, the JCS stated, "The flight of the drone in northern Gyeonggi Province on the 3rd was pre-approved by the 1st Army Corps in accordance with procedures," and added, "The relevant operational unit was aware of the activity."

The JCS further explained, "The drone in question was scheduled to conduct a test flight as part of a new capability acquisition project promoted by the Army Test and Evaluation Group, and a private company had planned the flight of a civilian drone in preparation for the test." They continued, "The drone was authorized to fly below 500 feet both in the morning and afternoon of the same day, but in the afternoon, it flew at an altitude higher than the approved 500 feet."

The JCS emphasized, "The 1st Army Corps conducted standard operational procedures to comprehensively assess whether the drone was the pre-approved one or an unauthorized aircraft." It also warned, "If the operational procedures of front-line military units are exposed externally, it may affect the state of military readiness and the morale of service members."

Previously, Sung Il-jong, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the same day, saying, "Yesterday, another major incident occurred with the 1st Army Corps of the Republic of Korea Army." He insisted, "This time, it was not a U.S. drone but a friendly drone that was mistaken for an enemy and nearly shot down, with the military nearly on the verge of issuing a 'Durumi' alert."

He went on to say, "It is truly despairing and heartbreaking to see how badly our military has deteriorated," and added, "Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek is the one responsible for rendering our military uncontrollable. Immediate resignation is the only way he can take responsibility."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.