South Korean Lawmaker Links Civilian Drone Flights to Prior Government Operation
A new book and accompanying public forums are fueling debate over whether a past government operation inadvertently encouraged unauthorized drone flights into North Korea. Representative Bu Seung-chan of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee announced on Thursday, January 21st, a series of book concerts to discuss his new release, “The Drone That Never Returned,” which details a controversial drone operation conducted under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.
The book, co-authored with senior secretary Lee Gyu-jeong, examines a past operation involving drones flown into Pyongyang. Representative Boo and his supporters argue that this operation established a precedent, lowering the barrier for subsequent, unauthorized drone activity. The recent dispatch of civilian drones into North Korea, including one reportedly flown by a graduate student, is being framed not as isolated incidents, but as a direct consequence of the government’s earlier actions.
According to Representative Boo, the initial “Pyongyang Drone Operation” demonstrated the feasibility of provoking North Korea at a relatively low cost. He contends that this realization may have emboldened civilians to attempt similar flights, potentially triggering a new era of escalating tensions – what he termed an “Uncontrollable North Wind Era.” “Seok-Yeol Yoon lowered the threshold for attracting foreign exchange through Pyongyang’s drone operation, and it appears that the ‘Uncontrollable North Wind Era’ has begun,” Representative Boo emphasized.
The first book concert will be held on January 25th at 3 p.m. at Jeju Halla University Art Hall. Panelists will include Yonsei University Professor Emeritus Moon Jeong-in, National Assembly member Moon Dae-rim, Representative Boo, and author Lee Dong-hyeong. A second event is scheduled for January 27th at 6:30 p.m. at the Kim Dae-jung Library in Seoul, featuring National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairman Choo Mi-ae and Song Young-gil, leader of the Pine Tree Party, alongside Representative Bu.
Representative Boo plans to extend these discussions nationwide, aiming to engage citizens and develop strategies to mitigate this emerging security threat. The lawmaker believes a broader conversation is needed to address the implications of the initial operation and prevent further unauthorized incursions into North Korean airspace.
