North Korea claims over a million enlist in military following drone allegations against Seoul

North Korea announced Wednesday that more than one million young people have enlisted or rejoined its military after Pyongyang accused South Korea of sending drones into its airspace. This claim comes as tensions between the two Koreas continue to escalate, with North Korea warning that any further drone flights would be seen as a declaration of war.

A day before the announcement, North Korea demolished key roads and railways linking the two countries and placed soldiers stationed at the border on high alert, ordering them to prepare to fire on any incoming drones.

While South Korean officials have denied involvement in the alleged drone incursions, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that Pyongyang has “clear evidence” proving Seoul’s official role in the campaign. The North alleges that drones were used to drop anti-regime propaganda leaflets over its capital.

In its statement, KCNA said, “Millions of young people have turned out in the nationwide struggle to wipe out the ROK scum who committed a serious provocation of violating the sovereignty of the DPRK through a drone infiltration.” The agency claims that more than 1.4 million youth league officials, students, and