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Small unmanned aerial vehicle. Photo is unrelated to the article. / Yonhap

On the 30th, an unidentified flying object was detected in a border area of northern Gyeonggi Province, prompting an evacuation scare among residents north of the Civilian Control Line (CCL), but the military confirmed it was a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle conducting training.

A Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) official said that day, "An unidentified flying object was detected in the northern Gyeonggi area south of the GOP (general outpost), and normal measures were taken in accordance with operational procedures." The official added, "Upon verification, it was confirmed to be a U.S. drone conducting training."

Amid the drone detection situation, an evacuation text alert was sent to residents in the area north of the CCL in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province, causing a scare. However, the JCS is still looking into the exact origin of the drone and who sent the text alert. Asked whether the drone belonged to U.S. Forces Korea, a JCS official said, "Beyond the fact that it is a U.S. drone, further confirmation is needed."

It is reported that our military detected the drone via surveillance equipment but was unable to immediately determine whether it was a South Korean or North Korean drone. There is also the possibility that confusion arose because the U.S. side's drone training plan was not shared with our military in advance.

                                                                                                             Lee Han-sol