Kim Jong Un Scrambles Jets To Ward Off Alleged US Spy Plane, Citing 'Grave Encroachment' Upon Sovereignty And Security

Kim Jong Un on Tuesday scrambled jets to ward off a U.S. spy plane that North Korea accused of intruding into its air space. 

What Happened: Kim's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong also warned that the intrusion into its exclusive economic zone raised the possibility of "shocking" consequences, the Korean Central News Agency reported. 

The U.S. aircraft “retreated” when the North Korean air force deployed a squadron of planes, Pyongyang said. 

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"The intrusion into the DPRK's 200-nautical mile economic water zone by the reconnaissance asset of the hostile country…is clearly a grave encroachment upon the sovereignty and security of the DPRK," Kim Yo Jong said.

Her comments came hours after North Korea threatened to shoot down US spy planes amid escalating tensions ahead of the NATO leaders' annual summit in Lithuania.

Meanwhile, the Seoul military refuted the allegations, stating that the aerial reconnaissance aircraft did not infringe upon North Korean airspace. It said Pyongyang has deliberately escalated tensions by threatening “routine flight activities” conducted in international waters. 

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“The issue related to the airspace is a matter between our military and the US military. The military thugs in the Republic of Korea should stop playing presumptuously and shut up right away,” Kim Yo Jong said in response.

“The nasty habit of sulking when one is embarrassed and getting itchy if one does not appear to be a constitutional characteristic of the "Republic of Korea" families, which both those who do politics and military thugs have,” she added.

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