North Korea accuses US of sending U-2 "Dragon" aircraft for wartime spying

"We will take immediate action when our sovereignty and national security interests are infringed upon," North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il as emphasizing on May 26.

According to Mr. Kim Kang Il, the US sent at least 16 RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, U-2S and RQ-4B drones over the Korean peninsula between May 13 and 24.

North Korean officials also criticized the South Korean navy and coast guard, accusing them of violating the maritime border between the two Koreas under the guise of "mobile patrols."

"Even now, the US and South Korean air forces are continuously mobilizing various types of aircraft with little or no time gap during the day, conducting aerial reconnaissance operations at a level equivalent to a wartime situation," Kim Kang Il alleged.

North Korea's vice defense minister later warned that the country's military "will take necessary military measures," adding that there would be "dangerous consequences" from such incursions.

The U-2S is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force, first introduced in 1957. However, this aircraft, nicknamed "Female Dragon", is still in use today, partly thanks to its ceiling of over 20,000m.

The statement came ahead of a trilateral summit between Japan, South Korea and China scheduled to begin tomorrow, May 27, in Seoul, South Korea. Issues related to North Korea, including its weapons program, are among the main focuses of the meeting.

Kim Kang Il's remarks are therefore believed to be aimed at drawing attention to the summit, which is likely to draw criticism from Pyongyang.

Inter-Korean relations are at one of their lowest points in years, with Pyongyang declaring Seoul its "main enemy."

The country has disbanded its agencies responsible for unifying the country, and threatened war if its territory is violated "even by 0.001mm".

South Korea and its key security ally the United States regularly conduct joint military exercises that they say are necessary to defend against growing threats from North Korea.

In contrast, Pyongyang considers all such exercises as invasion rehearsals and responds with other missile launches and live-fire drills.