North Korea accuses U.S. of airspace violation and threatens to shoot down "spy planes"

North Korea has accused the United States of repeatedly flying spy aircraft into its airspace, which it considers provocative actions and a threat to peace on the Korean peninsula, DW reports.

In a statement, the North's Ministry of National Defense warned that it would shoot down such surveillance flights and expressed concerns about the possibility of a "shocking accident" occurring in the East Sea of Korea. North Korea also criticized the US for planning to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula, describing it as "undisguised nuclear blackmail" and a serious threat to regional peace and security.

While there was no immediate response from the US military, South Korea dismissed North Korea's claim of airspace violation and stated that the US conducts routine reconnaissance flights in the region. Pyongyang warned that the US would be held accountable for any sudden situation that arises and referred to past incidents when it shot down US planes, emphasizing that the US would pay for its alleged air espionage activities.