South Korea apologizes to citizens for failing to down North Korean drones that violated airspace

South Korea on Tuesday apologized to its citizens for failing to shoot down North Korean drones that crossed its borders for the first time in five years. Lt. Gen. Kang Shin Chul, chief director of operation at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a televised address that the military deployed warplanes and attack helicopters but they were unable to take out the drones – including one that remained in South Korea for three hours. Five drones were detected by South Korea's military Monday, but not a single drone was shot down before they either returned to North Korean airspace or disappeared from Seoul's radar. In this photo provided by South Korean Defense Ministry, A U.S. B-52 bomber, C-17 and South Korean Air Force F-35 fighter jets fly over the Korean Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. The mishap has drawn major concern over Seoul's defense abilities as Pyongyang's force posture has become increasingly aggressive.