SEOUL - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday ordered thorough investigations into unauthorized civilian drone flights into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Lee gave the order during a cabinet meeting, saying that it would be unacceptable for drones to be infiltrated into the DPRK for illegal purposes or for civilians to dispatch them into the DPRK territory.

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Lee stressed that, based on what had been revealed so far, it appeared that civilians unilaterally infiltrated drones into the DPRK, adding that it was equivalent to an act of starting a war, ordering the rigorous probe and severe punishment.