Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, repeated accusations Tuesday that U.S. spy planes crossed into the North's territory and warned of a "very critical flight" in case of "repeated illegal intrusion."
The statement, carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, was the latest in a brewing back-and-forth over the alleged reconnaissance flights.
On Monday night, Kim Yo Jong claimed that a U.S. spy plane repeatedly flew over the waters of the North's exclusive economic zone before being chased off by North Korean warplanes. She warned in a statement that a "shocking incident would occur" if the United States continued its reconnaissance activities in the area.
Earlier that day, a North Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson accused Washington of conducting "provocative aerial espionage" during the first week of July and threatened to shoot down American aircraft.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff denied all allegations.
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