Russia accuses Seoul of escalating tensions on Korean Peninsula

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) — Russia has accused South Korea of escalating tensions with the North by flying drones over its capital Pyongyang.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement late on Monday that tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated significantly, adding that North Korea has reported “unprecedented incursions” by drones from South Korea.

South Korea’s actions are a “flagrant violation” of North Korea’s sovereignty, and constitute interference in Pyongyang’s internal affairs that aim at “undermining the legitimate political and government system of an independent state and depriving it of its right to sovereign development,” Zakharova said.

Zakharova urged South Korean authorities to take heed of North Korea’s warnings and to cease any further “reckless and provocative” actions that could lead to further escalations on the peninsula.

“Only political and diplomatic measures, grounded in the principle of indivisible security, can ensure enduring peace and stability in the subregion. There is no alternative course, unless military aggression is indeed the ultimate aim of South Korea and its ‘senior’ ally, the United States,” she went on to say.

Zakharova added that Russia is committed to playing a constructive role on the Korean Peninsula to prevent dangerous developments and guide the situation in the region back to a positive trajectory.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have spiked since early this month after North Korea accused South Korea of repeatedly flying drones over Pyongyang.

In response, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was briefed on the situation by defense and security officials on Monday, during which he ordered “immediate military actions.”