Seoul: North Korea launched GPS interference on Friday and Saturday, disrupting the operations of ships and private aircraft, according to South Korea’s military. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) issued a warning, advising ships and aircraft operating in the West Sea area to remain cautious due to the GPS signal jamming from the North.
The JCS called on North Korea to immediately cease its provocation and warned that it would be held accountable for its actions.
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system used globally for precise location tracking. South Korea’s military expressed grave concern over the recent interference, which has the potential to disrupt the safety and efficiency of maritime and aviation operations.
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Tensions between the two Koreas have escalated since late May, when North Korea began launching balloons carrying trash into South Korean territory. In response, South Korea resumed its loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts. North Korea’s balloon campaign, missile tests, and now the GPS “spoofing” have all contributed to growing concerns about safety in South Korean airspace. Aviation experts have highlighted the increased risks to commercial flights, as the situation complicates airline operations amid rising tensions.
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The disruption caused by North Korea’s trash balloon campaign has been worsened by increasing signs of GPS interference. From May 29 to June 2, around 500 planes and hundreds of ships experienced GPS signal issues, South Korea’s government reported. In response, South Korea formally lodged a complaint with the United Nations aviation body, ICAO, which has since issued a warning to North Korea to cease its actions.
