The Defense Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has released photos of what it claims to be a South Korean drone. The DPRK asserts that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may have been used by Seoul to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang earlier this month.

The crashed UAV was reportedly discovered in the northwestern area of the DPRK's capital, Pyongyang, on October 13, according to a statement from the ministry on Saturday. One of the images shows a plane-type drone lodged in a tree.

Following a technical examination of the aircraft, the DPRK says it has confirmed that the drone belongs to South Korea.

"In light of the drone's shape, the presumptive period of flight, the leaflet-scattering box fixed to the underpart of the drone's fuselage, etc., it is quite likely that the drone is the one which scattered leaflets over the center of Pyongyang Municipality. But the conclusion has not yet been drawn," the ministry stated, as reported by the state news agency KCNA.

Pyongyang has issued a stern warning, stating that if another violation of the DPRK's "territorial ground, air, and waters… is discovered and confirmed again, it will be regarded as a grave military provocation… and a declaration of war, and an immediate retaliatory attack will be launched."

Earlier this week, the DPRK accused South Korea of sending leaflet-dropping drones over Pyongyang on three separate occasions this month. Seoul has neither confirmed nor denied the UAV flights but has warned the DPRK that it will face the "end of its regime" if it retaliates by targeting South Korea. In response, the DPRK has blown up road and rail links with the South.

Transportation routes blown up

South Korea is a "foreign" and "hostile country", DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said while visiting troops, stressing that the destruction of transportation routes marked the "end of an evil relationship."

According to the state-owned Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim visited the 2nd Corps of the Korean People's Army headquarters on Thursday to review defense plans after Pyongyang decided to destroy and cut off all transportation links with South Korea. 

During discussions with military leaders, Kim emphasized that "our army should keep in mind once again the stark fact that the ROK [Republic of Korea, South Korea] is a foreign country and an apparent hostile country." 

Both countries have seen significant tension and hostilities since Kim declared South Korea the country's "principal enemy", rejecting all prospects of the reunification of the two Koreas. 

According to state media, the DPRK's constitution has now labeled South Korea as a "hostile country" following the establishment of legal changes called for by Kim earlier this year. 

In the context of cutting off roads and rail routes with the South, Kim was quoted saying, it "means not only the physical closure but also the end of the evil relationship with Seoul which persistently lasted century after century... and unreasonable idea of reunification."