Wrecked N.Korean Drone Found Near Baeknyeong Island

The wreckage of a drone of presumed North Korean origin was found in waters near Baeknyeong Island in the West Sea on Monday.

The discovery came about five months since three similar drones crashed here.

Around 2:20 p.m. Monday, a fisherman retrieved the drone in waters 6 km west of Baeknyeong Island, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday. It was similar to one found in Paju, Gyeonggi Province in March.

The drone's parachute cord became entangled in the fishing boat's anchor. Its body, the only remaining part, is about 80 cm wide and 1 m long, but engine and propeller were gone. The surface was covered in scratches and the wings were damaged.

"We'll have to investigate whether this drone crashed during its return trip after reconnoitering South Korea or was swept away by currents after a test flight in North Korean territory," the spokesman added.