North Korea's Korean People's Army General Staff spokesperson claimed on the 10th through the Korean Central News Agency that they had shot down drones infiltrated by South Korea on September of last year and the 4th of this month, and threatened that there would be a price to pay. The photo shows a South Korean drone that allegedly crashed in Jangpung County, Kaesong City, North Korea.

On the 11th, the People Power Party criticized President Lee Jae-myung's order to investigate the possibility of civilian drone operations in relation to North Korea's claim of drone infiltration into South Korea, calling it a "wrong signal that could invite further provocations" and a "self-inflicted mistake of watching North Korea's reaction."

Party Senior Spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon stated in a press release that day, "President Lee's offer for dialogue was ignored, and North Korea responded with threats and slander."

Regarding North Korea's drone infiltration claim, Spokesperson Choi said, "It is a step-by-step offensive to reaffirm the anti-South Korea hostile line and accumulate justification for future provocations." He added, "President Lee's comment that 'civilian drone infiltration is a serious crime' has amplified North Korea's unilateral claim as if it were fact. He should have been more cautious."

He urged, "The most dangerous thing in security is not the enemy's provocation, but the wrong signal. As public anxiety grows, the government must clearly state the facts regarding North Korea's claims and the criteria and principles by which it will respond to the possibility of further provocations."

Spokesperson Cho Yong-sul also stated in a press release, "The Ministry of National Defense repeated only a clarification that 'our military is not the culprit' to North Korea's claims, showing a submissive posture."

He continued, "The essence of the problem is not the drones themselves, but the military's normal response capability to prepare for unexpected situations that can occur at any time. However, the president using the expression 'serious crime' and thus self-limiting the military's operational authority is no different from watching North Korea's reaction, a self-inflicted mistake."

Rep. Yoo Yong-won, a former military correspondent, posted on Facebook, "North Korea's attitude, concluding that South Korean authorities must take responsibility regardless of whether it is military or civilian, is typical topsy-turvy logic that predetermines the conclusion. This attitude is partly caused by the South Korean government and military's submissive stance towards North Korea. We must respond with confidence."

Reform Party Spokesperson Jung Yi-han also stated in a press release, "When North Korea claimed that 'South Korea sent drones,' (President Lee) put its own citizens on the list of suspects. Is it truly the attitude of a sovereign state's government to bow to the claims of an enemy nation and suspect its own citizens first? We urge the immediate cessation of the subservient policy of investigating civilians."